Zirconium Crowns for Children

A healthy set of teeth and gums not only boosts a child’s self-confidence but also plays a crucial role in essential functions like eating. When dental health deteriorates, choosing the right treatment method becomes vital to ensure the child’s comfort both in the short and long term.

Today, various treatment options are available to preserve and repair primary teeth in children. Among these, zirconium crowns are often preferred due to their durability, aesthetic appeal, and suitability for health.

Frequently Asked Questions About Pediatric Zirconium Crowns

Academic studies have shown that zirconium crowns applied to primary teeth positively affect children's oral health. These studies highlight that zirconium crowns support the health of gums and periodontal tissues, provide a strong bond to the tooth, and demonstrate high resistance to fractures. Additionally, thanks to their color stability, zirconium crowns maintain a natural appearance over time and are praised for their smooth, aesthetic surface. This treatment method, widely accepted by parents, is preferred for its benefits to children's dental health and its visual appeal.

What is Zirconium?

Zirconium is a naturally occurring element and a biocompatible ceramic material used in dentistry. Known for its hard structure, zirconium remains stable and unaffected by factors like acids. Since 2010, this material has been used in pediatric dentistry. Offering advantages in terms of aesthetics and durability, zirconium is commonly used in dental crown procedures.

Zirconium crowns boast a white, natural appearance, providing excellent aesthetic harmony as they look like real teeth. Additionally, since they don’t require a metal base, they are highly compatible with the gums and have a very low risk of causing allergic reactions. For these reasons, zirconium crowns are frequently used in pediatric dentistry.

What are Zirconium Crowns for Children?

Zirconium crowns are used to protect and restore primary or permanent teeth when they become damaged. Although typically applied to front teeth, they can also be used on molars. Particularly in cases where teeth are damaged by decay or trauma, zirconium crowns provide protection while offering an aesthetically pleasing solution. These crowns are specifically designed for children, tailored to fit the small structure of their mouths. This ensures that zirconium crowns allow kids to maintain healthy dental functions without compromising the natural look of their teeth.

Can Zirconium Be Applied to Primary Teeth?

Primary teeth play a crucial role in the development of a child’s jaw and dental structure. They guide the proper eruption of permanent teeth and are vital for functions like chewing and speaking. If primary teeth decay or become damaged, leaving them untreated can negatively impact not only the child’s oral health but also their overall well-being.

Zirconium crowns protect primary teeth by preventing the spread of decay and strengthening the tooth without compromising its natural appearance. While planning the dental treatment, factors like the timing of the tooth’s natural shedding and the child’s oral hygiene habits should also be considered.

In pediatric dentistry, restoring severely decayed primary teeth used to be a significant challenge in terms of aesthetics. But thanks to zirconium crowns, this issue is now a thing of the past! These crowns are used in the following situations:

Teeth with decay on multiple surfaces
Large cavities where fillings are at risk of breaking
Children with severe tooth decay
Fractured or cracked teeth
Teeth that have not developed properly

Although zirconium crowns are a popular treatment for preserving dental health and providing a natural appearance, they may not be suitable for every case. In certain situations, alternative treatment options should be considered:

1. Loss of Space Between Teeth: In cases where the gaps between teeth have narrowed or disappeared, applying a zirconium crown can be challenging.

2. Severe Crowding: When teeth are extremely crowded and overlapping, creating enough space for a crown may be problematic. In such cases, orthodontic treatment might be a better option to correct both dental health and aesthetics more effectively.

3. Severe Teeth Grinding (Bruxism): Some children grind their teeth unconsciously, either at night or during the day. This condition, known as bruxism, can cause significant damage to the tooth structure. In children with severe teeth grinding, zirconium crowns may also suffer damage, so bruxism should be managed before proceeding with treatment.

4. Insufficient Tooth Structure: If a tooth is severely damaged or decayed, there may not be enough tooth structure to support the crown. In such cases, alternative treatment methods should be considered.

Çocuk ağzında estetik zirkonyum kaplama ve yer tutucu görünüşü

What Makes Zirconium Crowns Different from Other Treatment Options?

Zirconium crowns offer several advantages over other treatment options. They look much more natural and, unlike composite fillings, do not change color over time. Another benefit of zirconium crowns is their excellent compatibility with the gums, with minimal risk of allergic reactions. In terms of comfort, their thin structure doesn’t create a foreign object sensation on the tongue and helps reduce sensitivity to hot and cold. Additionally, their smooth surface limits bacterial buildup, helping prevent bad breath.

Stainless steel crowns have been a reliable method in pediatric dentistry for many years, serving as a protective shield for teeth. Made from chrome, nickel, and iron, these crowns are silver-colored, often referred to as "silver caps." Durable, cost-effective, and practical, stainless steel crowns are usually preferred for molars. They are recommended for teeth with cavities on at least two surfaces. However, some parents, particularly those with aesthetic concerns, may reject this option. This is where zirconium crowns come into play.

Factors to Consider When Choosing:

Condition of the tooth: The size and location of the cavity matter.
Aesthetic expectations: Zirconium may be preferred for front teeth.
Budget: Zirconium crowns are more expensive.

How Are Zirconium Crowns Applied to Primary Teeth?

The application of zirconium crowns to primary teeth involves several steps. First, the pediatric dentist examines the child’s mouth and evaluates whether the tooth is suitable for a crown. If the tooth is decayed, the decay is removed, and the tooth is prepared for the crown. The tooth is then shaped and sized to fit the zirconium crown, which is securely bonded to the tooth. The materials and techniques used are carefully selected to avoid any harm to the child’s tooth structure. This procedure is generally painless, and the zirconium crowns, specially designed for children, are carefully placed for a natural look and feel.

With her extensive experience and expertise, pediatric dentist Dr. Esra Yeşilöz Gökçen provides the best pediatric dental solutions. At KidsDent Istanbul, personalized treatment plans are developed for each child based on their dental structure and needs. Advanced treatments like zirconium crowns are meticulously applied to protect your child’s dental health while ensuring a natural aesthetic. We aim to achieve long-term, healthy outcomes through a comprehensive evaluation to determine the most suitable solution for your child’s dental health.

For more information about pediatric dental treatments at KidsDent Istanbul, you can reach us at 0542 430 99 79 or contact us via the form on our website.