When it comes to dealing with severe tooth damage or tooth decay, it’s important that young patients and their parents understand just what treatment options may be best for their interests. It’s for this reason that Dr. Barry L. Jacobson spends a lot of time discussing treatment options and dental health matters with his patients.

During a consultation with Dr. Jacobson, he will be sure to discuss all of these issues with you in great detail and also be sure to explain treatment options to your child in a calm, soothing, and comprehensible fashion. It’s this approach that makes Dr. Jacobson such a well-regarded UK and NYC pediatric dentist.

One matter that sometimes comes up is whether or not dental crowns should be used to treat a child’s teeth. Dental crowns are these aesthetic caps that are placed on top of a severely damaged or decayed tooth. Doing this serves a variety of purposes. For one, the dental crown will protect the tooth from further damage or decay. This also means less tooth discomfort and sensitivity for a patient. The dental crown will also improve bite strength and restore the health of a patient’s mouth. In addition to all these, dental crowns can be fashioned from a porcelain material which will also improve the appearance of the teeth overall by restoring structure.

Now the question arises whether or not children should get dental crowns for their dental problems. As with all dental health matters, it depends on a number of factors. Treatments need to be customized to each patient since the dental health needs of one child may be very different from other children. The presence of permanent teeth and baby teeth need to be considered, as do the immediate needs of the child and the long-term dental health as well.

One very important consideration is how much tooth structure will need to be removed to prepare a tooth for a dental crown. Prepping a tooth for a dental crown involves some removal of tooth structure, and ideally we do not want to remove much tooth structure from a tooth. This is especially the case for children, who should have healthy tooth structure in place for good dental health in the future.

Of course, teeth can be severely harmed in dental care emergencies, such as accidents and collisions. Dental crowns, then, need to be considered as a viable option in some cases. But again, this will be done on a case by case basis. Dr. Jacobson will use his expertise to determine how best to restore and enhance the health and wellness of your child.

There are many other options for dealing with damaged teeth or tooth loss in young children, teens, and adults. UK and NYC dental bridges may be used in cases of tooth loss, or perhaps inlays and onlays may be a good option as well. In the end, the reason that there are so many approaches to enhancing dental health is because the types and varieties of dental problems are so vast.

If you would like more information on children’s dentistry and pediatric dental care and other family dentistry topics, be sure to contact our practice today.