I need opions on teeth crowning on a 3 years old, please help!?

Question

I brought my 3 years old son to the dentist for the first time yesterday, it went great. When we left, they told me that I have to bring him back to have 2 crowning and 4 filling done. Since he had a good experience yesterday, I really don't want to scare the boy for the rest of his life if it's not necessary. Since I myself never had any crowning done on my teeth I would know how serious this is. Please give me your opions to see if I should follow through and get it over with, or wait until it really bothers him. Thanks in advance!

Answer 1

When the decay has reached the pulp of the tooth in the "baby teeth" it needs a root canal just like the permanent ones would require. They are just done differently, with baby teeth we do pulpotomies; excavate the decay and place a medicated pellet to kill any bacteria, and then place a medicated filling in the cavity or opening finishing with placing stainless steel crowns on the teeth to maintain stability for the life of the tooth. This is to stop the pain, remove the decay, retain the tooth and retain the space needed in this area by holding it open for the permanent dentition to erupt. If baby teeth are extracted too early the other will shift or close the space. Also these baby teeth help in his growth of the facial bones and his palatal arch development. This causes serious problems with the permanent dentition when they erupt with no room. This is one reason so many need orthodontic treatment, to expand the palate and align the teeth into correct occlusion. Braces aren't really just for looks. Hope I've been of some help today and good luck, hope you will go with the crowns and fillings with " A Pediodontist preferably."

Additional info: Do start to take a little more effort in his brushing techniques and go back over them if needed to avoid any more decay in his deciduous dentition. Also watch the sodas and juice, always follow either with water if brushing can't be done. Never hold a child down or force them to brush their teeth; you don't want to create a problem where it involves him doing a job consistently and diligently on a daily basis, try to make it fun, maybe use disclosing tablets or colorful tooth brushes with fun tasting floss, things such as that. The dentist can give you many more ideas to use, just ask.

Don't wait on having the treatment done, there is nothing worse than seeing a child in pain from an abscessed tooth.

Answer 2

Crowns On Baby Teeth

Answer 3

Crowning is not that uncommon in young children. Unlike adult crowns, crowns for children often come preformed, and less of the tooth is removed in placing the crown, so it is much less involved than an adult crown. It is probably better to have these procedures done now before things get worse -- the longer you wait, the more unpleasant things will be when your son finally gets the work done. Even though the teeth will eventually fall out, if they have large amounts of decay or need to be pulled early, other teeth can shift and cause crowding and other problems for the permanent teeth as they erupt. That could result in much more dental work for you son in the future. If you are concerned about how well your dentist works with your son, you could look for a pediatric dentist, who specializes in techniques that make children as comfortable as possible during procedures. Since your son has already had a good experience, I would take him in while he still remembers the dentist office as a positive place!

Answer 4

I would absolutely get it done. Crowns on children are completely different then crowns on adults. For children, silver (stainless steel) crowns are usually used and they are completed in one appointment. It's really not much worse then getting a filling done. Their gum tissue may be sensitive for a day or so afterwards, but I have never seen any problems with them. The only thing that could happen is that they could come off. They are also only a fraction of the price of an adult porcelain crown.

I hope that you took your son to a pediatric dentist. They specialize in this stuff and typically do a great job. They should offer some type of sedation for your child to calm him down during the procedure. The best option is nitrous oxide, laughing gas. It is totally safe and out of his system as soon as the appointment is over. This really helps keep them from being traumatised.

Also, please make sure you have this treatment done. It may not seem that important because they are baby teeth, but it is very important. Many baby teeth they have for many years, even up to age 12. If you don't have this treatment done he could end up losing those teeth. Please make sure too that you start being very aggressive with his at home dental care. Hold him down to brush his teeth if you have to. You really don't want to have to put him through any more treatment unless necessary. He is too young to understand what's going on. Good luck!

Oh, wanted to add that these are not very expensive and do not do anything to damage their permanent teeth. Yes, baby teeth fall out, but they do serve a purpose. Do research on the internet if you feel the need. You need to take care of these teeth, unfortunately many people don't understand that.

Answer 5

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RE:
I need opions on teeth crowning on a 3 years old, please help!?
I brought my 3 years old son to the dentist for the first time yesterday, it went great. When we left, they told me that I have to bring him back to have 2 crowning and 4 filling done. Since he had a good experience yesterday, I really don't want to scare the boy for the rest of his life if...

Answer 6

If your son had a good experience yesterday, he may not even be fearful of having the dentist do anything to his teeth.

My son had to have 2 crowns when he was 4 years old. We use a pediatric dentist so she is used to dealing with children and their fears, etc. They do something called a pulpotomy and then they place a silver crown over the tooth. My son had no pain or discomfort afterward and he never developed a fear of the dentist because of this.

Answer 7

First of all, don't listen to any of these people here who say it's bogus. It's perfectly normal. I hate to break it to you pal but if they're putting crowns on his teeth is because they are gonna do a pulpotomy (baby root canal) where they remove the nerve and preserve the remaing tooth structure with a crown. And if they're doing this it's because the tooth is too far gone for a normal filling. Are you putting him to sleep everynight with a bottle with milk??Big No-No.
You need to instill in him the importance of oral hygiene.Besides, if these baby teeth are extracted too soon, the space will crowd and the development of his adult teeth will be royally screwed up. If they are extracted, at least have space maintainers placed to keep the space open for his adult teeth. It sounds to me like he's a pretty good dentist.Stick with him.

Answer 8

I will tell you what! you need to find a second opinion fast because the dentists now are doing this to kid and making alot of money they will scare you by telling you that if you don't do this then their permanent teeth will suffer, and if you pull it the perm. teeth may come in crooked, well I fell for this hook line and sinker! I never had a problem when I was taking my daughter to the pediatric dentist, but due to an insurance change we had to switch dentist and they wanted to do fillings on her front baby teeth and I was told all of these things and I wanted the best for her, well they ruined her teeth, thank God they were her baby teeth and fell out, If he isn't in pain and abscessed I wouldn't! he doesn't even have his six year molars yet, if you can afford it please go to another dentist, since insurance companies set limits on what they pay you are responsible for anything the dentist charges over and they all have different prices. Just make sure you want to burn that money because if there is no pain or infection then I wouldn't bother, I would suggest that you teach him how to brush and floss which I am sure you do and to stay away from a lot of cavity prone foods,

Answer 9

My granddaughter had a partial root canal and a cap put on a baby tooth she didn't have any problem she was 2 at the time she is 5 now

Answer 10

Definitely get a second opinion. Baby teeth are going to fall out, so you won't want to spend all of that time and money for teeth that are supposed to fall out in 3 years anyway. Good luck!