Dental Crowns After a Pediatric Root Canal: What To Know

A pediatric root canal is a restorative procedure that can preserve the overall health of a child’s smile. This applies even if the affected tooth is a primary tooth. After the procedure, a pediatric dentist will likely place a dental crown on top of the treated tooth. Crowns not only protect the treated tooth but also restore its functionality. Here is what to know about crowns and their relation to pediatric root canal therapy.

What is a pediatric root canal?

A pediatric root canal is necessary when an infection has reached the root of a tooth. According to the American Association of Endodontists (AAE), the procedure involves removing the infected tissue in the root (the pulp) before cleaning out, filling, and sealing the empty chamber. Thus, a root canal remedies the infection and stops any related pain.

However, the treated tooth will likely be smaller and misshapen as a result of the decay that caused the infection. A dental restoration is needed to make the tooth functional again. In most cases, a pediatric dentist will recommend a dental crown.

Restoring the tooth after a pediatric root canal

A dental crown is a toothlike restoration that fits over the treated tooth like a cap. They are tailormade to fit the affected tooth. The pediatric dentist will take a mold of the tooth and send it to a dental lab to create the custom crown. In the meantime, they will place a temporary crown on the root canal-treated tooth. The custom crown should be ready for placement in about one to two weeks.

Common dental crown types

Parents can select one of several crown types for their children. Metal crowns, specifically silver amalgam crowns, are the most durable and affordable option. There are also nonmetal crowns: all-ceramic (porcelain) crowns and pressed ceramic crowns. Parents often prefer these crowns because they blend with the surrounding teeth, serving as a discreet restoration.

Porcelain-fused-to-metal (PFM) crowns are a good halfway point between metal and nonmetal crowns. They are both durable from the metal center and discreet due to the porcelain coating. A pediatric dentist can discuss all the options available to the child following a pediatric root canal.

How pediatric root canals and crowns protect smile development

It is common for parents to question why a child, especially a toddler, would need a pediatric root canal. These procedures can address the uncomfortable side effects of an infected tooth, such as toothaches, painful eating, bitter taste and breath, and swollen gums and glands. The infection can also spread to other teeth or result in tooth loss if left untreated.

Premature tooth loss is just as problematic for primary teeth (baby teeth) as it is for permanent teeth (adult teeth). It can negatively impact the development of the smile in several ways. First, the surrounding teeth are likely to shift into this empty spot since the adult tooth is not yet ready to erupt. Second, such shifts can make it difficult for the adult tooth to erupt when the time comes. A root canal-treated tooth restored with a crown allows the baby tooth to fall out in its own time without compromising the child’s daily comfort and the tooth’s functionality.