Types of Pediatric Crowns

A crown is a “cap” cemented onto an existing tooth that usually covers the portion of the tooth above the gum line. In effect, the crown becomes the tooth’s new outer surface. Crowns can be made of porcelain, metal, or both.

Crowns are needed when there is insufficient tooth strength remaining to hold a filling. At our office, Dr. Dragan offers a wide variety of dental crowns that are ideal for treating damaged and decayed teeth in kids.

• Stainless Steel Crowns: Pre-made stainless steel crowns are ideal for baby teeth (and some adult teeth), as they are very durable and last longer than fillings and can be placed quickly in just a single appointment. These “tooth helmets or princess crowns” can be placed with the standard crown method (which is when we drill into the tooth to clean the cavity out and then cement the crown on top) or in some cases with the Hall crown technique. (This requires no shots or drilling!)
• Zirconia Crowns or White "BioFlx" Crowns: Dr. Dragan is a Sprig certified provider for both EZCrowns and BioFlx white crowns. EZCrowns are made out of zirconium oxide, which is 100% metal-free, and is certified biocompatible with oral tissues. They are used to cap or cover teeth with large or deep cavities, enamel defects or teeth that have had nerve treatment. While EZCrowns are the most natural-looking crown available for baby teeth, they are very technique sensitive and sometimes require additional chairtime for our little patients. A fabulous alternative to zirconia crowns is another esthetic metal-free Bioflx (pronounced like Bioflex) crown. Bioflex crowns are also metal-free, sometimes covered partially by insurance, and have a similar adaptability as classic silver crowns lending to be faster to place on young children but with better esthetic results. 
• Hall Stainless Steel Crowns: The Hall technique can be used on some of our patients. It allows us to place a silver crown without any numbing or shots, and without using a dental drill. The cement used to place the crown traps and stops the cavity from growing and the baby teeth naturally adjust to the fit of the crown over time. This minimally invasive technique has been proven in scientific studies to be just as effective in treating primary teeth in certain situations, and with less discomfort and time than traditional methods.