Restoring Smiles With Tooth-Colored Zirconia Crowns

Seamless Restorations For A Bright, Healthy Smile

Whether your child has a severely decayed baby tooth or they chip one of their adult teeth when playing or eating, Dr. Matt Griffith and the team at Kona Pediatric Dentistry are here to help. With tooth-colored zirconia crowns in Kailua-Kona, Dr. Matt can eliminate your child’s pain and discomfort, restore their tooth, and keep their smile bright, too.
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What Are Zirconia Crowns And How Do They Work?

Zirconia crowns are made from a durable ceramic material that looks just like natural enamel. They are designed to cover up your child’s damaged tooth all the way down to the gum line.  Your child’s new crown will cover the entire structure of their tooth, providing excellent protection and restoring their natural smile, too.

At Kona Pediatric Dentistry, Dr. Matt always prefers to place zirconia crowns of stainless steel crowns or resin crowns. While these types of crowns have their place and may be better options for some children, zirconia crowns offer the best durability, longevity, stain resistance, and overall results.

The Benefits Of Zirconia Crowns For Kids

Not sure whether zirconia crowns are right for your child? Here are a few benefits that you can enjoy if you choose to restore your child’s smile with zirconia crowns at Kona Pediatric Dentistry:
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• Natural appearance – Unlike stainless steel crowns, zirconia crowns are matched to the color of your child’s teeth. They will blend in seamlessly with their smile, so your little one will never have to feel self-conscious or embarrassed about their crown.
• Superior durability – Zirconia is extremely strong and durable, especially when compared to alternative types of tooth-colored crowns for kids, like resin crowns. The ceramic material holds up well to biting and chewing.
  
  
• Long lifespan – This is especially important if your child needs a crown on an adult tooth. Zirconia crowns can easily last 10-15 years or longer with proper care. Your child can continue smiling proudly for years to come!

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• Completely stain-resistant – Unlike natural enamel or resin crowns, zirconia is completely resistant to stains. Their restoration will never become discolored by plaque, tartar, food, drinks, or anything else.
  
  
• Treat them just like natural teeth – Zirconia crowns require no special care beyond routine brushing and flossing. Brush your child’s teeth twice per day and floss once per day, and their smile will stay in great shape!

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Zirconia crowns are more expensive and are not always fully covered by dental insurance for kids. And the process is a little bit longer and more complicated than alternatives like resin crowns or stainless steel crowns.

However, these benefits mean that investing in zirconia crowns may be worth it for your little one. If you have questions or want help making the right decision, just ask Dr. Matt during your visit to Kona Pediatric Dentistry!
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What To Expect From The Zirconia Crown Process

At Kona Pediatric Dentistry, we know dental treatments like crowns can be scary for kids and stressful for their parents. Dr. Matt and our team offer gentle, child-friendly care, and we also have sedation options like nitrous oxide for your child.

Not only that, but parents are always welcome to stay with their children throughout their treatment at Kona Pediatric Dentistry. You can sit with your little one throughout their visit, comfort them, and stay informed by Dr. Matt about what’s happening throughout every step of their treatment.
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Tooth preparation

To begin the process, Dr. Matt will clean up your child’s tooth and numb the treatment area. Then, he will use a dental drill to gently remove any damaged material from the tooth. The next step is to reshape the tooth to create a strong, stable platform for their zirconia crown.

Crown fitting and design

Once he’s done preparing your child’s tooth, Dr. Matt will use a hand-held scanner to take a 3D impression of your child’s mouth. He will use this impression to design a crown that fits perfectly into their mouth. He will attach a temporary crown to your child’s tooth, then send you and your little one home.
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Crafting your child’s crown

Once Dr. Matt has finished your child’s crown design, he will send it to our partner dental lab. Here, a technician will manufacture the crown to Dr. Matt’s exact specifications. The result is a beautiful, lifelike restoration. It usually takes 2-3 weeks for your child’s crown to be built and sent back to our office.
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Final placement and restoration

Once your child’s crown is finished and arrives at Kona Pediatric Dentistry, you’ll come in for one final visit. Dr. Matt will remove their temporary crown, clean their tooth, and then check the fit of the zirconia crown. After making any necessary adjustments, he will use dental cement to attach the crown to their tooth permanently. Then, Dr. Matt will polish your child’s new tooth and send you both home to enjoy their newly restored smile.
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Schedule Your Child’s Visit With Dr. Matt Today!

Not sure what type of crown is right for your child, or if they need one at all? At Kona Pediatric Dentistry, we’re here to help. Dr. Matt can provide the guidance you need to restore your child’s smile and keep their teeth healthy as they grow. Contact us online or give us a call to schedule your little one’s first visit with Dr. Matt today.

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