Dubai, UAE - Baby teeth, also known as primary teeth, play a key role in a child's oral health and development, therefore, you need to recognise and actively protect them. While infant teeth will eventually fall out, they serve several important purposes in the meantime. They help your child chew, letting them eat a nutritious diet and support healthy growth. Baby teeth also play a significant role in your child's speech development, assisting them to articulate sounds and form words. Baby teeth also keep the space open for the permanent teeth to erupt correctly. Neglecting or failing to care for baby teeth can result in dental issues that can hamper the alignment and health of your child's permanent teeth. This is where stainless steel crowns come in.

What is a stainless steel crown in Pediatric dentistry?
Stainless steel crowns are tooth-shaped caps that cover the whole surface of a tooth. They are widely used in Pediatric dentistry to save baby teeth that have been severely decayed or damaged. Although primary teeth will be lost eventually to make way for permanent teeth, they must not be lost prematurely. Premature tooth loss can result in a number of issues that can impact permanent teeth. As a result, stainless steel crowns safeguard infant teeth until they fall out naturally.

If your child has one or more severely decayed or broken teeth, they may require a stainless steel crown. Paediatric stainless steel crowns are generally advised when a dental filling is not sufficient to restore the tooth. In addition, if your child requires a baby root canal, you can expect a stainless steel crown after the treatment.


5 major benefits of stainless steel crown for your child

Rapid placement process
One notable advantage of stainless steel crowns for children is their quick placement. The fact that these crowns are prefabricated simplifies the procedure since the sizes are already fixed. When your youngster needs a stainless steel crown, the best dentist for kids can quickly determine the correct size and make any required adjustments. This streamlined process allows the crown to be placed and completed within the same day, reducing the overall treatment time. Stainless steel crowns are a time-saving choice for restoring children's damaged or decayed teeth as they eliminate the need for custom fabrication. This rapid installation time relieves your child's discomfort, ensures dental health improvement, and lets your child resume normal activities without delay.

Extremely durable
Stainless steel is renowned for its strength and resilience. This exceptional durability makes stainless steel crowns an excellent choice, particularly for molars, which are subjected to significant chewing pressure. Molars, unlike front teeth, take the brunt of chewing power, making them more vulnerable to damage. Stainless steel crowns, on the other hand, can withstand the rigours of chewing, ensuring long-term protection for these back teeth. This durability allows your child to continue enjoying their favourite foods without being concerned about the crown becoming damaged or weakened.

Prolonged lifespan
One notable advantage of stainless steel crowns for children is their outstanding durability, which allows them to last long. Stainless steel is highly corrosion resistant, ensuring that the crown remains functional and intact for an extended period of time. These crowns have a lifespan of 10 to 15 years, meaning that they can efficiently fulfill their role for as long as needed. When the time comes for the crowned tooth to fall out naturally, the stainless steel crown, like other baby teeth, will likewise fall out naturally. This durability guarantees that your child can experience the benefits of the crown without the need for frequent changes.

Preserves baby teeth better than large fillings
Primary teeth have substantially thinner enamel compared to permanent teeth. When a cavity forms on the primary tooth, it can damage the enamel. If the cavity is not treated promptly, the decay might cause enough damage to the tooth that a filling will no longer be effective. Your kids dentist in Dubai may then go for a stainless steel crown on your child's tooth to restore its integrity.

These crowns offer an effective treatment that completely covers and protects the tooth, successfully preventing additional decay and preserving its structure. This advantage of stainless steel crowns is critical in Pediatric dentistry since it eliminates invasive procedures.

Cost-effective option
Stainless steel is the least expensive option among the various materials used for baby tooth crowns. This affordability factor makes stainless steel crowns a viable option, especially given that baby teeth are just temporary and will soon fall out and be replaced by permanent teeth.

How is the stainless steel crown placed?
The placement of stainless steel crowns in Pediatric dentistry involves a relatively straightforward procedure and can be accomplished through two different methods.

One approach involves the use of dental bands, also referred to as dental spacers that are positioned on either side of the tooth to force the teeth apart and create space. This can be done several hours or up to a week before the crown is placed.

Another method involves reducing the size of the tooth by shaving off a portion from each side. Once enough space has been created, a crown is chosen by determining the appropriate size for your child's teeth. After determining the proper size, it is attached directly to your child's tooth and adjustments are made if needed. The stainless steel crown is applied to the tooth using dental cement.


Maintaining and caring for stainless steel crown
Stainless steel crowns rarely need to be replaced or repaired. Once the crown is in place, take care of your child's other teeth to prevent the need for additional dental work.
Ensure that your child brushes their teeth twice daily. Assist your youngster in properly flossing around their crowned teeth to ensure that no food is lodged between the crown's edge and their gums.
Encourage your child to not bite hard food items to prevent chipping their teeth.
When participating in an aggressive sport, your child must always wear a mouthguard to prevent fracturing a tooth. If your child has a fractured tooth, visit your dentist or the nearest clinic for Pediatric Dental Emergencies in Dubai
Visit the best dentist for kids at least twice a year for checkups and cleanings without fail.

When stainless steel crown is not an option?
Most children are eligible for stainless steel crowns since they are highly safe. Yet, in two situations, stainless crowns might not be the ideal option.

When the tooth that needs treatment is a front tooth. Your kids dentist in Dubai might advise using a tooth-coloured crown because the front teeth are so readily evident. This makes it possible to fix the tooth without having to alter your child's attractive smile in any way.

If your child has a history of severe metal allergies. Even though these kinds of metal allergies are rare, it is still crucial for you to be aware that they do occur. A stainless steel dental crown allergy can cause irritation and inflammation of the gums, lips, tongue, and cheeks. If your child is really sensitive to metals, talk to your Pediatric dentist about it.

When it comes to your child's dental needs, it's always better to consult with the best dentist for kids who can advise you on the best treatment, including stainless steel crowns, for your child's oral health.

Is your child's next dentist appointment due? Call Dr. Yasmin, the best dentist for kids in Dubai right away!

About Dr. Yasmin Kottait: Having dedicated 16 years of her career to spreading smiles and imparting knowledge of oral hygiene to children, Dr. Yasmin is a renowned name and face in the field of Pediatric dentistry in Dubai. Her joyful personality and magical kid-whispering powers make dental appointments for kids an easy sail – and lots of fun, that they never miss a single dental appointment with her! Dr. Yasmin is also one of the few Autism friendly dentists in the region, with a diploma in Cognitive Based Hypnotherapy and IBCCES Autism certification.