What is that metal? About steel crowns on baby teeth
What a steel crown is, when it is placed, why it is more reliable than a large filling and how it falls out together with the baby tooth.
AuthorDr. Fidan HasanzadePaediatric dentist, treatment under sedation
“Dear parents, do you think metal crowns are important for baby teeth?” When I asked this on Instagram, opinions were split. Some wrote, “They will fall out anyway, why the metal?” Let’s calmly explain what a steel crown is and why it is placed.
What a steel crown is
It is a thin metal cap made to fit the size of a baby molar. It is placed on a badly broken-down or root-treated tooth. When the permanent tooth comes through, the baby tooth falls out on its own together with the crown.
Why a filling is not enough
If several surfaces of a tooth are broken down, a large filling cannot withstand chewing forces: it comes out or decay starts again at its edges. According to a Cochrane review, on badly broken-down baby molars ready-made crowns lower the risk of pain, infection and repeat treatment compared with ordinary fillings.
What the crown gives the child
- Comfortable chewing and proper eating
- Protection of the tooth until the permanent tooth comes through
- Keeping space for the permanent tooth
- A lower chance of repeat treatment and pain
Every child deserves a healthy, beautiful smile.
Scientific sources
The information in this article is based on the following peer-reviewed scientific articles and international clinical guidelines.
- Innes, N. P., Ricketts, D., Chong, L. Y., et al. (2015). Preformed crowns for decayed primary molar teeth. Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews, 2015(12), CD005512. [PMID: 26718872] | [DOI: 10.1002/14651858.CD005512.pub3]
- Smaïl-Faugeron, V., Glenny, A. M., Courson, F., et al. (2018). Pulp treatment for extensive decay in primary teeth. Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews, 5, CD003220. [PMID: 29852056] | [DOI: 10.1002/14651858.CD003220.pub3]
