The short answer is that it depends on the tooth. A crown that works well on a back molar may not be the right choice for a front tooth, and the reverse is also true. At Smiles University Pediatric Dentistry, we consider which tooth needs repair, how much of it is damaged, and how much chewing force it handles before we recommend a material. Here’s what we use and why.
Why Would My Child Need a Crown?
A dental crown is a cap that covers the entire tooth. Children may need one when decay is too large for a filling, after a pulp treatment (sometimes called a “baby root canal”), or when a tooth is cracked or has weak enamel. Baby teeth will eventually fall out, but they hold space for adult teeth and help your child chew and speak, so saving them is important.
The Three Crown Materials We Use
Stainless Steel
Stainless steel crowns are the most durable option we offer, and they have the longest track record in pediatric dentistry. Because they’re silver in color, we typically place them on back teeth, where they’re less noticeable. They stand up well to heavy chewing forces, which makes them an excellent choice for baby molars that need to last until the adult teeth come in.
Zirconia
Zirconia crowns, such as Sprig crowns, are made of a strong, tooth-colored ceramic that blends in with your child’s natural smile. We use them on both front and back teeth, so they’re a good option for parents who want a white crown on a molar instead of stainless steel. Because zirconia is rigid, placing it requires a bit more shaping of the tooth, so it isn’t the right fit for every situation. We’ll let you know whether your child is a good candidate.
Pre-Veneered Stainless Steel
Pre-veneered crowns, such as Kinder Krowns, combine the strength of stainless steel with a tooth-colored coating on the visible surface. We use them on front teeth when we want steel’s durability with a natural look. The tooth-colored facing can chip under hard impact.
So Which Material Is Best?
| Material | Appearance | Used on | Main advantage |
| Stainless steel | Silver | Back teeth | Maximum durability |
| Zirconia (Sprig) | Fully tooth-colored | Front and back teeth | Most natural look |
| Pre-veneered (Kinder Krowns) | Tooth-colored front, steel underneath | Front teeth | Strength with a natural appearance |
The best material is the one that fits your child’s tooth, and we’ll walk you through our recommendation before any treatment begins.
Caring For Your Child’s Crown
Whichever material your child receives, good daily habits will help the crown last:
- Brush twice a day for two minutes. Use a smear of fluoride toothpaste (about the size of a grain of rice) for children under 3, and a pea-sized amount for children 3 and older.
- Floss daily, paying extra attention to the edge of the crown where it meets the gumline, since plaque tends to build up there.
- Go easy on sticky and hard candy, which can loosen or chip a crown.
- Wear a mouthguard during sports to protect both crowns and natural teeth.
- Visit us every six months for checkups and cleanings so we can make sure the crown is in good shape.
About Smiles University Pediatric Dentistry
Smiles University Pediatric Dentistry is home to three board-certified pediatric dentists with more than 40 years of combined experience caring for young patients. We use high-quality crowns, including Sprig zirconia crowns, pre-veneered Kinder Krowns, and stainless steel crowns. If you have questions about what to expect when your child receives a crown, call us at (512) 321-5437 or schedule online.