Why do they put silver caps on teeth

I have a question about pediatric dentistry. Although I’m not a parent, I am an elementary school teacher and just finished up my first year at a new school. The other teachers and I all got together for a last hurrah after the last day of class and somehow we got on the topic of the children’s teeth and why every pediatric dentist seems to prefer silver when doing crowns for kids. One suggested that it might be different in other parts of the state or country because a lot of our kids come from low-income homes. However, I’ve also seen kids who come from higher-income households with mouths full of silver, and I think there must be some other logical reason for it. Still, it’s odd because adults always get the white ones, right?

Índice Show

Why Do Pediatric Dentists Use Silver Crowns?
What are silver tooth crowns?
Is mercury used in silver tooth crowns?
Mercury is used in amalgam fillings and is not commonly used in silver tooth crowns.
The silver tooth crown process
For same-day procedures
For multi-day procedures
The main advantages of silver tooth crowns
The disadvantages of silver tooth crowns
Do you require a silver or metal-based crown?

Thank you,

Ms. Smith

Dear Ms. Smith,

This is a great question. Before we get into the logic of silver fillings it’s important to note that kids from any type of household can get tooth decay. Tooth decay is linked to oral hygiene, preventative care, diet, and habits the child has or had, such as taking a cup or bottle of juice or soda to bed. Moreover, some children are genetically predisposed to tooth decay.

There are also factors such as socioeconomical status and race which are linked with lower rates of preventative care, like cleanings and sealants. These children are also less likely to have tooth decay treated, which means by the time they see a pediatric dentist, the only option is a crown (possibly with a specialized root canal called a pulpotomy) or an extraction. So, then, it’s no surprise that if many of the students in your school come from low-income families and/or are minorities, they would likely have more dental issues.

There are organizations that help low-income families, and many states offer free dental coverage to children. Many parents are quite loving and dedicated, but they could be unaware of the options for getting dental care.

Why Do Pediatric Dentists Use Silver Crowns?

The cost. Baby teeth need to remain in place until the adult teeth erupt, so restoring them is preferred over extracting them. Stainless-steel crowns are less expensive than the tooth-colored crowns adults usually get. They come in premade shapes, so they can be placed inexpensively.
It reduces the number of visits. Many small children need anesthesia for dental work or are prone to wiggling, so limiting the number of visits is important. Because the crowns are premade, they can be placed in one visit.
Stainless steel is effective. When too much tooth structure is lost, a filling won’t preserve the tooth. It needs full coverage, which the stainless-steel crown provides.
It can protect the tooth longer. A crown can help prevent the tooth from further decay and repairs. It also helps protect it from sensitivity.
The American Academy of Pediatrics recommends stainless-steel crowns. For all these reasons, and more, the AAP recommends stainless steel. Doctors who use these crowns are following the recommendation.

This blog is sponsored by Naperville Dental Specialists.

A Consultation with Dr. Mira Albert

Dear Doctor,
My seven-year-old son has a molar with extensive decay. Our dentist wants to repair it with a stainless steel crown. Couldn’t she pull the tooth instead or even leave it alone since it’s only a baby tooth?

Dear Annika,
Many people wonder why a dentist would recommend restoring a badly decayed baby tooth instead of extracting it, or even waiting for it to fall out on its own. After all, it will be replaced with a permanent tooth eventually, so why go to so much trouble? The fact is, it’s best to save primary teeth whenever possible because they serve important functions. Through all the years they are present (and the last ones may not be lost until around age 12), they help children eat, speak and smile properly. They also act as placeholders for permanent teeth: If some primary teeth are lost before they would come out naturally, the permanent teeth may be crowded or crooked.

The primary molars generally fall out around age 10-12, so your son has several years to go before they are replaced by permanent ones. When a diseased tooth is not treated, the decay may spread to neighboring teeth—including the permanent tooth that has not yet emerged. An infected tooth can be painful, and in extreme cases the spread of infection from an abscessed tooth can be serious, even life-threatening. Thus treatment is very important, and a stainless steel crown may be the best solution for a tooth that is too badly damaged for a regular filling.

Stainless steel crowns, which we like to call “silver hats” in my practice, have been used in dentistry for 70 years and are the most common type of crown for children. They are often used in primary teeth that have extensive decay over multiple surfaces, and on teeth that are broken or have a significant defect either from birth or due to disease.

Although they cost more than a traditional silver-colored filling, stainless steel crowns last longer and are the least expensive type of dental crown for children. A 2017 study published in the Journal of the American Dental Association reported a 6 percent better survival rate for stainless steel crowns after 3 years when compared to fillings, especially when the crowns were placed by a pediatric dentist. These findings support previous studies confirming the increased longevity and reduced need for re-treatment of teeth with stainless steel crowns versus multi-surface fillings.

Most pediatric dentists (those who specialize in children’s dental issues) consider this tried-and-true dental restoration the treatment of choice for a child’s back teeth. Stainless steel crowns are stronger and more durable than large fillings, making them ideal for molars, which must withstand substantial chewing pressure. However, they are not a good choice for front teeth because of their noticeable silver color. There are more aesthetically pleasing options for teeth that show when speaking and smiling; but tooth-colored alternatives that are strong enough to endure the workload of molars are significantly more expensive and require more time in the dental chair.

The stainless steel cap (crown) functions like the natural crown of the tooth, allowing children to eat and speak comfortably and helping their bite to develop properly. The crown will stay in place until the baby tooth falls out.

Stainless steel crowns generally require only one visit to the dentist and rarely need to be repaired or replaced. These pre-formed metal caps come in different sizes and can be customized for any tooth. After the damaged or decayed portion of the tooth has been removed, the crowns fit over the remaining tooth structure and fully cover the tooth. If tooth decay extends to the pulp inside the tooth, however, the infection may need to be removed first. This may be done via a procedure called pulpotomy or pulpectomy, which is similar to a root canal but appropriate for children.

Stainless steel crowns are stronger and more durable than large fillings, making them ideal for molars, which must withstand substantial chewing pressure.

Your child’s dentist will select the right size crown, tailor the metal shell to the tooth, and cement it in place. Typically, local anesthesia is used for crown placement, although additional sedation options may be available. For example, nitrous oxide, commonly called “laughing gas” is a safe and mild option for children who are nervous about dental procedures. Getting a stainless steel crown is a routine procedure, but after treatment your child should refrain from eating until the anesthetic has completely worn off to avoid injury to the cheek, lip or tongue. Your dentist may recommend an over-the-counter medicine if there is any discomfort after the procedure.

Our goal is to recommend the best treatment option for the health of the baby tooth and the permanent tooth underneath. Stainless steel crowns are a long-lasting and cost-effective way to preserve a primary tooth so it can guide the permanent tooth in correctly.

Metal-based and steel crowns are often referred to as silver tooth crowns, which are metal crowns designed to cap teeth that are damaged, suffering from decay or in need of protection after a dental procedure (such as a root canal treatment).

What are silver tooth crowns?

Silver tooth crowns are a type of crown or cap that is used to cover and protect a damaged tooth from decay, infection and general damage to the tooth. Silver tooth crowns are typically made from amalgam, which is composed of mercury, tin, silver and copper.

Silver tooth crowns operate in the same way as any other metal-based, gold or porcelain crowns. However, there are some advantages to silver and metal-based crowns that are not found in porcelain or resin crowns.

Is mercury used in silver tooth crowns?

Mercury is used in amalgam fillings and is not commonly used in silver tooth crowns.

Mercury is typically used in silver fillings because it’s very versatile and is able to easily fill any gaps, cracks or holes within the affected tooth. Mercury is mixed with alloy powder so that it’s able to be gently pressed into the tooth. The placed mercury will harden very quickly, so the procedure is fast.

Silver tooth crowns, by comparison, may appear silver but are actually made from stainless steel and are composed of chromium, nickel and iron.

The silver tooth crown process

All tooth crown prosecutors follow the same process, the only difference is the type of crown being applied to the affected tooth. However, depending on what your dentist has suggested, you will be booked info for a same-day or multi-day procedure.

For same-day procedures

Your dentist will take digital pictures of your mouth to assess what work needs to be done to the affected tooth or teeth. From the scan, your dentist will create a crown then and there, creating a crown that fits over the damaged part of your tooth. Once the crown is ready, dental cement will be applied to the affected tooth to hold the new, silver implant in place. You can expect to be in and out of the clinic within 2 – 4 hours.

For multi-day procedures

Multi-day procedures, as the name suggests, requires you to come back for further treatments. On your first visit, your dentist prepares your tooth for crown placement. They may also take an X-ray for a more in-depth look at the condition of your tooth. Next, your dentist will file down the outer layer of your tooth and an impression will be taken of your newly trimmed tooth and your surrounding teeth.

A temporary crown is then placed over your tooth until your permanent crown is ready for placement. This could take up to four weeks depending on your dentist’s schedule.

On your second visit, your dentist will apply your new, permanent crown.

The main advantages of silver tooth crowns

Silver tooth crowns benefit from being extremely durable and are able to withstand large amounts of pressure from biting. As with any other metal-based crown, silver tooth crowns are more durable than porcelain or resin, and they will also last longer, making them a more cost-effective option.

The disadvantages of silver tooth crowns

The main disadvantage of silver tooth crowns is that they are very obvious if placed near the front of the mouth. Silver and metal crowns are typically placed on molars because they are further back and are less likely to be immediately visible.

Do you require a silver or metal-based crown?

If you require a tooth crown due to a damaged or decayed tooth, you can arrange a consultation with our team at Hove Dental Clinic. We will be able to quickly assess the condition of your teeth and mouth and provide an appropriate treatment solution to ensure your oral health remains in top condition.

To book your appointment, call the number above or complete our contact form.

FAQs

What can/can’t I eat after having silver tooth crowns placed?

Avoiding hot liquids such as tea and coffee must be avoided for at least three days after your implants. Hot temperatures can cause discomfort due to your tooth or teeth being extra sensitive post-treatment. Soups, smoothies and softer foods are okay to consume post-treatment but all hard foods must be avoided on the advice of your dentist.

Are silver tooth crowns safe?

Silver tooth crowns rarely encounter any severe side effects or problems and have been used in dentistry for decades. The procedure is minimally invasive and does not involve treating the nerves of the gums. Only the visible part of your tooth is treated, which minimises the risk of any severe complications.

Are silver tooth crowns safe for children?

Some children may require silver (or stainless steel) crowns in order to protect their primary (baby) teeth. Silver tooth crowns do not pose any notable risks to children’s health, however, it’s important to arrange a follow-up appointment to ensure your child’s crown is functioning correctly and they are experiencing no pain or side effects.

How much are silver tooth crowns?

The cost of silver tooth crowns can be found on our private charges page. Silver tooth crown treatments can be offered through the NHS or privately

Can I get my silver tooth crown removed?

In most cases, if the crown is functioning as it should and the tooth underneath remains healthy, there is no reason why you should have the crown removed. It is unlikely that a dentist would remove the crown if it is not damaged, loose or causing you any harm. Removal for aesthetic reasons is not usual practice.

Can I replace my silver tooth crowns?

Replacing silver tooth crowns is only necessary if the crown has cracked, become loose or fallen off entirely. However, if you have suffered from any of the above, you should be able to have your silver tooth crown replaced with any other tooth crown material. Most patients opt for resin or porcelain-based crowns because they are able to mimic the appearance of your natural teeth. However, this is not essential and you can opt for metal-based fillings or a mixture of porcelain and metal, these are known as PFM crowns (porcelain-fused-to-metal).