Stainless steel crowns (conventional technique) – a parent’s guide

Cleft.NET.East is the East of England regional cleft lip and palate service. To contact us, call 01223 596272 or email Cleft.NET.East.

Introduction

This leaflet is for families with young children who have dental decay and might require stainless steel crown restorations. It describes the benefits and risks of this treatment.

What are stainless steel crowns?

Stainless steel crowns (SSCs) are made of stainless steel, nickel and chrome. They are used to restore the “crown” (top part of tooth) of molar teeth (back teeth) that are decayed, damaged and/or never formed correctly in the first place. They come pre-made in different sizes and cover the entire surface of the tooth’s crown. The dentist will choose the right one for your child’s tooth and will cement it in place.

Why do we use them?

SSCs are more likely to last the lifetime of the baby tooth than other filling materials put in large cavities. They protect the entire crown of the tooth from further decay/damage until the tooth becomes wobbly. Some baby molars do not fall out until age 13 years, which is quite normal and the crowns can help maintain the natural spacing of teeth and guidance of the adult teeth to come into place in later years. They are not suitable if the decay / damage is too deep or extensive in the tooth – such teeth typically need to be removed from the mouth.

What happens during treatment?

There are different ways of placing SSCs. The conventional technique involves numbing of the tooth with a local anaesthetic. The tooth is then cleaned of decay and shaped prior to the SSC being ‘seated’ over the tooth.

Once seated, the crown might feel a little ‘tight’ to begin with and your child might find that they are biting slightly differently to before. In a growing child the mouth adapts quickly to this, so your child will adapt quickly to their new SSC.

The dentist will advise you if painkillers might help and of any other precautions to take for example being careful not to bite or burn the numb lip if local anaesthetic was used

After the treatment

Your child can go back to school after the treatment. Speech and eating maybe difficult at first and the crown may appear higher. This will settle within a few weeks. Your child should continue with regular check-ups and preventative dental care as advised by the dentist.

How long do they last?

The SSC normally lasts the lifetime of the baby tooth on which it is placed. So, when the baby tooth falls out, the SSC falls out with it. Very occasionally they need to be replaced and sometimes the top part of the SSC can wear away. You should brush it twice a day and clean between teeth as you normally do.

What are the risks?

When preparing the tooth for the crown, if we find there is too much decay present for the tooth to be saved, we will then need to remove the tooth.

Are there alternatives?

White fillings can be placed in back teeth, but in large cavities they do not protect the tooth or last as long as SSCs. White fillings also have to be placed in a totally dry area, so this might not be a suitable option for decayed or weak teeth, or for children who struggle to cooperate.

Any further questions?

We hope this information has helped in answering any questions. If you have any concerns or further questions, please do not hesitate to contact us.