A Beautiful Option for Your Child’s Smile
White Zirconia SPRIG Pediatric Crowns
Northern California's Premier Provider
Since 2011, Dr. Johnson has offered safe, natural-looking zirconia crowns for children as an alternative to traditional silver stainless steel crowns.
We Are The Experts
Families come from as far as Redding, Santa Rosa, Fresno and even Reno. Few dentists have the skill to place white crowns while keeping children comfortable. Dr. Johnson, a board-certified pediatric specialist, and his team have placed thousands of SPRIG crowns for children of all ages.
YES! You Have A Choice
Silver stainless steel crowns used to be the only option for children. Now Dr. Johnson offers natural-looking white zirconia crowns for all baby teeth, front and back, something very few offices can provide.
- Natural tooth-colored pediatric dental crowns
- Sprig Zirconia Dental Crowns for Children
- Esthetic, Biocompatible, Metal-Free
Why Would a Baby Tooth Need a Crown?
Aren’t They Going to Fall Out Anyway?
We hear this one often! Baby teeth do fall out, but they play an important role in your child’s health and development until then:
- Timing: Some baby teeth, like canines and molars, don’t fall out until age 10 to 13. Front teeth begin exfoliating around age 6 but can linger until 9.
- Chewing and Nutrition: Missing key teeth can make chewing difficult and large cavities can make chewing painful, potentially affecting growth.
- Space Maintenance: Baby molars hold space for adult teeth. If lost too early, surrounding teeth may shift, leading to crowding.
- Pain: Big cavities can cause pain, often triggered by certain foods such as cold items or sugary treats.
- Infection Risk: Decay nearing the pulp can lead to serious infections that require antibiotics and ultimately premature extraction.
Can’t You Just Do a Filling Instead?
Often, yes, and we do whenever possible. White (composite) fillings work well for small or moderate cavities, but they have limits.
When decay is extensive or close to the nerve (pulp), a crown, often with a pulpotomy (nerve treatment), is the best way to save and strengthen the tooth.
Extraction is the last resort, and we always try to avoid it.
Silver vs. White Pediatric Crowns
White Zirconia Crowns
Material: Made from zirconium ceramic. They are strong, non-flexible and biocompatible.
Appearance: White and look very natural, especially important for visible front teeth.
Cost: Higher due to manufacturing cost and the technical expertise needed for placement. The procedure takes longer, and precise preparation is key to success.
Stainless Steel Crowns (SSCs)
Material: Made from a strong metal alloy. They are durable, slightly flexible, and biocompatible.
Appearance: Silver in color and considered non-esthetic.
Cost: Less costly manufacturing costs and require less technical expertise for placement.
Are There Any Downsides to White Ceramic Crowns?
Very few, but they aren’t right for every child or situation. Things to consider:
- Patient suitability: Not every child is a good candidate. We’ll evaluate your child and explain the options.
- Tooth location and visibility: Crowns on upper back teeth are less visible than on front or lower back teeth.
- Cost: Ceramic crowns cost more to make and take longer to place, so they cost more.
Ready for a Confident Smile?
When more extensive treatment is needed, zirconia crowns offer a natural-looking, durable and safe solution.
Want to know if your child is a candidate? We’re happy to answer questions and schedule a consultation.