Local Dental Care - California Fluoride And Teeth

Stainless Steel Dental Crowns For Children's Molars

Primary (baby) molars with extensive decay, malformed enamel, advanced wear due to grinding, a missing replacement tooth, pulpotomy, or fracture may require coverage with a stainless steel crown in order to provide a durable restoration (filling).

Primary molars are shaped differently than permanent molars. Large amalgam (silver fillings) are not recommended for use in primary molars because they often fracture or crack. A fractured filling may not be evident until it falls out or until the tooth shows signs of abscess (infection). If a filling does fracture, decay may travel to the center of the tooth where the nerve and blood vessels lie. If the infection is caught early enough, a pulpotomy (described later) can be performed. If abscess has occurred, the tooth will often need to be extracted (removed). Early loss of a primary molar can create multiple other problems. Primary molars, and in particular first primary molars with decay on more than one surface, will have the benefit of a much more durable and reliable restoration with a stainless steel crown.

dental crowns. Not only are they more expensive, but the color match and the fit may not be as good. Tooth-colored crowns may appear to be bulky and the acrylic facings can fracture off, leaving exposed metal.

A primary molar may be restored with a stainless steel crown during one appointment. The decay is removed, the tooth is shaped for a crown, the appropriate size crown is selected, and the crown is cemented. The crown must be brushed when brushing the other teeth. Sticky foods such as caramels and taffy can pull the crown off. If this should occur, your pediatric dentist can usually replace the same crown in a few minutes.

A pulpotomy is necessary if bacteria have entered the area deep inside the crown of the tooth because of decay or fracture. This area is called the pulp chamber. It contains nerves, blood vessels, and other tissues that are necessary for the tooth to be healthy. A pulpotomy removes the unhealthy tissues only in the crown portion of the tooth. The nerves, blood supply, and tissues in the root(s) are not removed. If the bacteria are not removed, the tooth will abscess. A medicated filling is placed in the pulp chamber after the infected tissues are removed. A stainless steel crown should be placed in order to provide support for the walls of the tooth.

The tooth is once again healthy and in most cases will last until the Tooth Fairy says it's time to go!

by Jane A. Soxman, DDS

+Jim Du Molin is a leading Internet search expert helping individuals and families connect with the right dentist in their area. Visit his author page.

Dental Care: The Baby Teeth, What To Expect

Beginning from week seven of your pregnancy, your baby's baby teeth actually take shape. Then the cells are transformed to perform different functions -- all before your baby is even born.

After your baby is born, enamel and dentin are still forming so it takes a few months before the teething process is underway. (Trust us, you'll know when it happens!) The root will take several more years to be firmly established.

Your baby will have 20 primary baby teeth: 10 in each jaw. By the time the child is 2 or 3, a complete set of baby teeth should be in place. Small gaps should lessen as the jaw continues to grow. Remember, baby teeth are indispensable. Your child will have his front baby teeth for about 5 or 6 years, the molars for ten years.

They're the placeholders for permanent teeth, and any missing teeth can affect jaw alignment and bite for life. That's why keeping baby teeth in good shape is important to the oral health of permanent teeth.

+Jim Du Molin is a leading Internet search expert helping individuals and families connect with the right dentist in their area. Visit his author page.