Dr. Russo and Dr. Jensen follow the recommendation for use of stainless steel crowns as set by the American Academy of Pediatric Dentistry (AAPD). These guidelines are the following:
- If a pulpotomy (nerve treatment) is indicated.
- The tooth has such a large area of decay making the remaining tooth structure insufficient to hold a traditional filling.
- A tooth that has formed incorrectly or has fractured.
Our general dentist said the tooth could be filled.
Our doctors have undergone specialized training to treat primary (baby) teeth. They are treated differently than permanent teeth and not all general dentists follow the AAPD recommendations. The stainless steel crowns are the best treatment for your child, when indicated. If a filling were to be done on the tooth after our doctors have recommended a stainless steel crown, the filling could fail. Your child might need to have the tooth retreated in the future (which might not be covered by your insurance) or extracted. In most cases, the stainless steel crown should last until the tooth comes out naturally.
Are there any alternatives (white crowns)?
At this time, there are not. Some companies are starting to make stainless steel crowns with a white coating on the cheek side. They are inferior to the traditional stainless steel crowns as the white covering chips and does not hold up over time. Our doctors will not use inferior materials on your child. We keep hoping that the materials improve, and if this becomes the case, we will begin offering them.
