Patrick Ferry, DMD
From the time Patrick Ferry, DMD decided to pursue dentistry he always knew he wanted to provide our community with the type of dental service that demonstrates compassion and expert care.
Find Us:
Dentist - Bartow
715 S. Broadway Ave Bartow, FL 33830
(863) 533-2185​
Find us
Patient Library
Find helpful information in our digital library.
Archive:
- 2021
- 2020
- 2019
- 2018
- 2017
- 2016
- 2015
Tags
- celebrity smiles (66)
- dental implants (8)
- chipped teeth (4)
- bonding (3)
- crown (3)
- oral health (18)
- dental injuries (2)
- muscle frenum (1)
- teeth whitening (4)
- cosmetic dentistry (9)
- root canal (2)
- oral hygiene (18)
- tooth wear (1)
- orthodontics (8)
- braces (11)
- antibiotics (1)
- abscessed tooth (1)
- pregnancy (1)
- gum disease (9)
- veneers (3)
- athletic mouthguards (1)
- loose teeth (2)
- porcelain veneers (4)
- tooth grinding (1)
- burning mouth syndrome (2)
- wisdom teeth (6)
- orthodontic treatment (19)
- smile makeover (1)
- teeth wear (1)
- tooth replacement (1)
- missing teeth (3)
- pediatric dentistry (17)
- fluoride (4)
- periodontal disease (1)
- mouthguards (2)
- dental injury (7)
- tooth decay (6)
- crowns (5)
- partial dentures (1)
- cleft lip (1)
- dental emergency (1)
- chipped tooth (3)
- retainers (5)
- lump (1)
- pediatric care (1)
- metal allergies (1)
- mouthguard (1)
- teeth grinding (1)
- dental visit (2)
- blood pressure (1)
- plaque (1)
- thumb sucking (1)
- diabetes (2)
- bone grafting (1)
- tooth pain (2)
- cosmetic gum surgery (1)
- retainer (3)
- tooth extraction (1)
- bone loss (1)
- x-ray (1)
- tooth loss (1)
- gum recession (4)
- bone graft (1)
- dry mouth (2)
- nutrition (3)
- oral surgery (1)
- oral cancer (1)
- bad breath (1)
- root canal treatment (4)
- laser dentistry (1)
- crown lengthening (1)
- extraction (1)
- marijuana (1)
- oral-health (1)
- sleep apnea (2)
- snoring (2)
- dental sealants (1)
- teething (2)
- toothache (1)
- dental implant (6)
- dentures (1)
- tmj disorders (2)
- headgear (1)
- medicine (1)
- dry socket (1)
- dental care (1)
- smoking (1)
- partial denture (1)
- bridge (1)
Categories:
A Stainless Steel Crown Could Help a Struggling Primary Molar Last Longer
Although primary (“baby”) teeth have a lifespan of only a few years, they’re still important to a child’s current and future dental health. In the present, they help a child eat, speak and smile properly. They also help create a healthy future as placeholders for developing permanent teeth yet to come in.
If, however, a child loses a primary tooth prematurely due to decay, the corresponding permanent tooth could come in misaligned. That’s why we do what we can to help a decayed primary tooth reach its full lifespan. And there are different ways to do this depending on the type of tooth.
With front teeth, which don’t encounter the same chewing forces as those in the back, we may use a tooth-colored filling. This approach is also preferable for appearance’s sake since front teeth are highly visible when a child speaks or smiles.
Primary molars, on the other hand, need a more robust solution. A filling may not be able to withstand the level of long-term chewing forces that these back teeth normally encounter. And because they’re less visible than front teeth, there’s less concern about aesthetics.
That’s why many pediatric dentists prefer stainless steel crowns for molars. Just like their permanent teeth counterparts, a primary crown fits over and completely covers a tooth. They’re typically pre-formed, coming in different shapes and sizes that can then be customized for the tooth in question. After preparing and removing any decayed material from the tooth, we can usually install the crown in one visit with local anesthesia and a sedative (if the child needs it for anxiety).
While a steel crown isn’t the most attractive restoration, it typically handles the higher chewing forces in the back of the mouth better and longer than a filling. That’s especially critical for primary molars, which are some of the last teeth to fall out (as late as ages 10-12). And besides preserving it as a permanent tooth placeholder, a crown also helps the tooth function effectively in the present.
Regardless of what method we use, though, preserving primary teeth is a primary goal of pediatric dentistry. And with a stainless steel crown, we can keep those important back molars functioning for as long as they’re intended.
If you would like more information on caring for primary teeth, please contact us or schedule an appointment for a consultation. You can also learn more about this topic by reading the Dear Doctor magazine article “Stainless Steel Crowns for Kids.”