Crowns on primary ("baby") teeth are typically made of stainless steel (for strength) and are silver in color. Sometimes on front teeth white (polycarbonate) crowns can be used. Dr. Gifford will discuss with you the options and his recommendation.

Stainless Steel Crowns

Stainless Steel Crowns are placed on primary teeth to protect, seal and strengthen a tooth:

• After large decay has been removed
• After a pulpotomy has been performed
• To correct a malformed tooth
• To preserve a tooth with severe attrition.

Stainless steel crowns are considered a good temporary restoration to save the primary tooth until the permanent tooth can erupt and take its space. Keeping the primary tooth if at all possible is very important.

A primary tooth can be restored with a stainless steel crown during one appointment. The decay is removed, the tooth is shaped for a crown then the crown is cemented. A crowned tooth must be brushed and flossed just like other teeth.

White Crowns

White (Polycarbonate) crowns are similar to stainless steel crowns in that they are used for primary ("baby") teeth, but they are typically used on the front teeth for esthetic reasons.

Permanent Crowns

If a permanent tooth requires a crown, your child will be referred to a general dentist for that procedure.