Silver caps are often recommended in children’s dentistry for kids who have dental issues, like tooth decay, fractures, or weakening enamel. These caps play an important role in protecting and strengthening kids’ teeth.
Why Do Dentists Use Silver Caps for Kids?
Dentists often recommend silver crowns or caps for children with teeth that are damaged, decayed, or prone to cavities. The silver material offers a protective cover, restoring the tooth’s strength and preventing further damage or decay.
Silver caps are typically used when a regular filling isn’t enough to restore a tooth. Some of the most common dental issues that lead to the use of silver caps include:
- Large cavities
- Cracked or chipped teeth
- Discoloration that cannot be improved by whitening treatments
- Weak spots prone to decay
Silver crowns and caps not only protect your child’s teeth but also help them chew, speak, and maintain a healthy smile. While their silver color doesn’t mimic natural tooth color, these crowns are strong, durable, and often used for baby teeth due to their reliability.
Why Choose a Pediatric Dentist for Silver Caps?
Silver caps require special care, particularly in younger children, as baby teeth are smaller and kids can struggle to stay still for longer procedures. Kids may also feel anxious about dental work.
Pediatric dentists are experienced in making the experience kid-friendly and have tools designed for smaller teeth that help ensure a more precise fit. We also understand that dental visits can be overwhelming, so we make use of sedation as needed to create a warm and comfortable atmosphere.
How Silver Caps Work
Silver caps are commonly made from stainless steel, which is durable and designed to fit various tooth sizes. These crowns or caps are pre-made and adjusted to fit the shape of your child’s tooth. The crown fully covers the tooth. while caps cover just the top.
The silver crown or cap is secured with dental cement, creating a tight seal to protect the tooth from bacteria and food particles. Over time, the cement may wear, causing the crown or cap to loosen. If this happens, it’s simple to visit your pediatric dentist for a quick replacement or re-cementing.
Materials Used in Silver Caps & Crowns
Materials Used in Silver Caps & Crowns Stainless steel is the most common material for silver caps in kids. Despite their silver appearance, stainless steel crowns are made from a steel alloy. The crowns come pre-fabricated in standard sizes with no half-sizes available, which is why each one needs to be carefully adjusted and customized to fit your child’s unique tooth shape precisely. For front teeth, composite resin or zirconia crowns are used to maintain a more natural appearance.
Stainless steel crowns are particularly effective for back molars that experience heavy chewing pressure, providing excellent durability for teeth that need extra protection.
Silver Caps Can Address a Range of Dental Concerns
1. Tooth Decay
Silver caps and crowns help prevent further decay in teeth that are already compromised. Since the metal is impervious to acid, no new cavities can penetrate the crown unless it becomes compromised through wear, exposed margins, or excessive sugar consumption.
2. Cracks & Fractures
A cracked or fractured tooth is weaker and more prone to further damage. A silver crown completely covers the tooth to prevent cracks from worsening.
3. Dental Injuries
Chipped or cracked teeth, caused by falls or accidents, can often be repaired using silver crowns, thereby providing stability and protection.
4. Grinding
Some children grind their teeth, which wears them down over time. Silver crowns provide extra thickness and protection.
5. Hypoplasia
Kids with enamel defects may have weak spots in their teeth, making these teeth more susceptible to decay. Silver caps act as a shield for these weaker areas.
7. Prior Fillings
A crown is often the last choice, when there is no longer enough tooth structure to place a filling. A silver cap can protect the remaining tooth structure and prevent further issues.
Silver Caps in Kids: FAQs
Do silver caps ruin kids’ smiles?
No, they don’t! Silver crowns are usually placed on back teeth, where they’re less noticeable and offer strong, long-lasting protection. Most children adapt easily and don’t feel self-conscious. A lot of children love them – boys often see them as Ironman/Avenger crowns, while girls view them as princess crowns. For front teeth, we use tooth-colored crowns to keep your child’s smile looking natural.
Does it hurt to get silver caps?
No, the procedure is done with numbing agents to ensure your child feels no pain. There may be some pressure or temperature sensitivity, but it’s temporary. Over-the-counter pain relievers like ibuprofen and acetaminophen can help afterward.
How long do silver caps last?
How long do silver caps last? Silver crowns remain in place until the baby tooth falls out naturally – essentially for the life of the tooth.
Why are silver caps more common in kids?
Children are more prone to tooth damage, cavities, and dental injuries. Their enamel is thinner, and their teeth are more vulnerable to wear and decay. Silver crowns offer an effective solution to protect these vulnerable teeth.
Why Silver Caps Are a Great Solution for Kids’ Dental Health
Silver caps are an effective solution for restoring damaged or decayed teeth in children. They preserve the health of baby teeth, allowing kids to eat, speak, and smile without discomfort. While the silver colour may stand out, they prevent further dental issues and are a durable option for many concerns.
This same principle applies to adults too. When a tooth is severely damaged but worth saving, your dentist will recommend a crown. The difference is that for adults, crowns are usually made from porcelain and/or metal (such as gold) rather than stainless steel.
If your child has cavities, fractures, or tooth decay, silver caps might be the ideal choice. Contact us at London Little Bites Dentistry for personalized care and more information. Schedule an appointment today and keep your child’s smile healthy and bright!