So, why do kids get silver teeth? Regardless of how much we as parents want to shield and preserve our children’s shiny white smiles, baby teeth are not immune to the effects of tooth decay. When you think about it, maintaining the cleanliness and health of our teeth is difficult enough; imagine the difficulty involved in assisting a child in the care of their teeth.
Plaque and tartar, which are toxic and may lead to tooth damage if not removed, can form in your kid’s mouth in various ways.
But why use silver crowns on kids?
Read the article to learn the answer!
Why Do Kids Get Silver Teeth?
To protect damaged, decayed or cavity-infested teeth.
If a baby tooth develops a cavity, a dentist may choose to remove it, cap it with a crown, or fill it, depending on the seriousness of the infection. Remember that dentists avoid pulling baby teeth for as long as possible. So, if a tooth has a cavity, the dentist places a crown on the baby tooth rather than pulling out the tooth.
Dentists often use a silvery substance when filling baby teeth or putting crowns on them. Dental amalgam is a substance that has a silvery appearance and consists of various metals.
Dental amalgam is used by dentists because, on average, it costs less than a tooth-colored filling. Dentists also use it because it is more durable. They can also use a resin or some other tooth-colored substance, but such a kind of substance will depend on the dentist’s clinic and the services they provide for kids.
The silvery appearance of a child’s teeth is due to a silver substance, and dentists use it to fix cavities or cover rotting infant teeth.
Before extracting a baby tooth, dentists will often attempt to save the tooth by filling it or capping it with a silver crown. The type and severity of the cavity will determine the specific treatment to treat it.
Types of silver teeth
Fillings for Baby Teeth
A filling is the first step a dentist takes to treat a cavity in a child’s teeth if the cavity is very tiny but still obvious. The cavity will get covered by the filling, preventing the tooth from developing any more decay.
It is possible to see silver staining on teeth because dentists often employ a silver-colored substance. However, there is no need for anxiety on the part of the parents since the silver filling will get removed along with the baby’s teeth when the adult teeth develop.
Crowns on Baby Teeth
Dentists will put caps on children’s back teeth rather often, particularly the molars, to fortify the teeth and protect them from future damage. Dentists use silver-colored substances made of stainless steel to create crowns for children’s teeth when the children see the dentist.
Dentists use crowns on children’s teeth. That’s because, much like the silver-colored material used for fillings, silver crowns are a less costly alternative to the tooth-colored crowns used for adults. Dentists can also put these silver crowns in a single appointment instead of several appointments over time.
The use of silver crowns on an infant’s teeth is a method that is both quick and inexpensive but also provides enough protection for the teeth until the baby’s teeth fall on their own. When the baby teeth are out, these silver crowns will come with them.
Why Do Pediatric Dentists Use Silver Crowns?
- The expense – It is preferable to restore baby teeth rather than remove them. This is because they must maintain their position in the mouth until adult teeth erupt. Crowns made of stainless steel are often more cost-effective for adults than compared to crowns made of tooth-colored porcelain. They are sold in prefabricated forms, allowing for simple and cost-effective assembly.
- Reduces the number of sittings – Dental treatment on many young children requires an anesthetic. Because these youngsters are prone to fidgeting, parents must keep the number of visits to a minimum. The doctors have already prepared the crown. Hence, it just takes one appointment to have them put on.
- Stainless steel crowns are efficient – When there has been an excessive loss of tooth structure, a filling will not be able to save the tooth. Instead, the tooth requires complete covering, provided only by a stainless steel crown.
- It may safeguard the teeth for a more extended period – For example, a crown over a tooth may help protect it from additional decay. Additionally, this helps to keep it from becoming too sensitive.
- The American Academy of Pediatrics highly recommends crowns made of stainless steel – The American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) recommends stainless steel crowns for all dental procedures. Hence, dental practitioners follow these guidelines.
Do Dental Crowns Look Natural?
Yes.
The material or coating on pediatric dental crowns gives them a natural look while improving their overall appearance. For example, a dental crown may enhance a tooth’s look while restoring its original shape and size. Depending on the crown, it may have a more natural appearance than the teeth initially present there.
Is it Necessary to Put Silver Caps on Kids’ Teeth?
It isn’t necessary, but we advise doing so.
When baby teeth develop cavities or show signs of decay, you often need(or at the very least a good idea to consider) to place crowns on the affected baby teeth. This is particularly true for baby molars.
Crowns assist in safeguarding and maintaining baby teeth if the teeth develop cavities or begin to deteriorate. As primary teeth are essential to a child’s growth and development, children need to have baby teeth until their adult teeth come in.
We must individualize cavity therapy for each patient since every child is unique. Talk to your dentist if you see any signs of decay on your child’s teeth or if you suspect that your child’s teeth may already have some decay. Your dentist is in the best position to give you expert guidance on the type of decay and the required treatment.
Final Words
This article has all the information on why kids get silver teeth. We hope this article answers all your doubts.
