Instructions for Post-Operative Care following Stainless Steel Crown Placement
Dental crowns are the universal solution for many kinds of problems including postoperative teeth replacement in adults and children following root canal treatment or pulpectomy. It helps in protection of the original tooth post the treatment provided to remove any decay or to solve any issue of the tooth such as fractures or chipping. The crown, just as the name signifies, sits on top of the original tooth, which is reduced by the dentist after the procedure to act as the natural base. The crown top has a similar profile and shape of an original tooth and helps in carrying out all the functions of the teeth as it normally would such as chewing and speech.
Paediatric Dental Crowns
When it comes to crowns for children, Paediatric dentistry has been making amazing breakthroughs to provide preventative and corrective dental care and procedures for children. Many parents believe that paediatric dental issues are not serious and hence require no special care since the baby tooth or the primary tooth eventually falls out and the permanent tooth will replace them. The fact of the matter is that extraction of a primary tooth unless there is permanent damage or irreparable damage is not advised by any dentist. It is always recommended to preserve the natural tooth and correct it using various procedures and use one of the many alternatives for the tooth such as caps, crowns, dental bridges or dental implants. It helps in maintaining the natural integrity of the teeth, the shape of the jaw and helps the normal functionality of teeth by itself such as proper mastication, enunciation etc.
Overview of Stainless Steel Dental Crowns
Stainless crown for Pediatric Dentistry has been one of the most successful treatments. It was introduced in 1947 and was used intensively by 1950. It is one of the easiest crowns to use because it is now available in the manufactured and premade method. It is officially known as prefabricated stainless steel crowns which means that they are made by manufacturers in various sizes and shapes and all a dentist needs to do is choose the right one for the patient. It is customisable and easily adjustable thanks to its malleable and easy adjustable nature.
Stainless steel crowns for adults pediatric stainless steel crowns are both available in prefabricated or pre-trimmed nature and therefore they can be used for those who require inexpensive treatments for their dental crown requirements. Most is used as a temporary solution to dental crown requirements. It could either be for children for their primary teeth issues (since they would be replaced by secondary/permanent teeth later) or for adults who are awaiting their permanent dental crown prepared such as Porcelain fused to metal crown, Ceramic crown etc. Stainless steel provides an excellent option for those who are therefore looking at a short span of time and a budget friendly option but with no compromise on strength, functionality and durability.
Features of Stainless Steel Crown
Stainless Steel Crown is the most popular type of dental crown in the world and is primarily used for temporary restorations. Stainless steel crown is known for its many benefits and exemplary features over other kinds of dental materials. Below is a list of features for which stainless steel crowns are most popular for:
1. Full Coverage
When it comes to baby teeth, there is a big difference between the dental makeup of adult (permanent) teeth and baby (primary) teeth. The baby tooth has more obvious pulp above the gumline. It has a thin enamel when compared to adult teeth. This is why baby teeth require full coverage restorations to protect the pulp. Most restorations are done after a pulpectomy or pulpotomy procedures. Just like root canal in adults,pediatric stainless steel crowns protect the exposed pulp area after the treatment and from further attacks of bacteria and germ due to plaque accumulation.
2. Inexpensive
One of the best features of stainless steel tooth crown is that it is very inexpensive, the least expensive of all the other kinds of dental material. This gives parents some relief from spending too much on dental treatments for teeth that will soon be replaced by permanent teeth in babies. Most parents extract teeth that have suffered decay or any other damage because they believe baby teeth do not need any care and will soon be replaced by permanent teeth. However, it is very important to preserve baby teeth as it has many functions until they fall off naturally upon permanent teeth exfoliation.
3. Range of Size
Prefabricated Stainless steel crowns are the top choice of any dentist for temporary teeth restorations in children and even for adults. Pediatric stainless steel crowns and stainless steel crowns for adults come in a wide variety of sizes and shapes that can be easily chosen by the doctor like a plug and play option. Very little amount of adjustment is needed for such pre-trimmed variety of stainless steel caps or crowns and they such restorations can be done within a single sitting for patients
4. Patients who need General Anaesthesia
Many patients including kids and older adults or adults with mental health issues may face extreme anxiety and may not be perfect candidates for oral/dental procedures. For such patients, general anaesthesia is provided so that the patient can cooperate with the procedure. Although the anaesthesia only lasts a few hours, there is not much time for many kinds of dental crown materials to work. For such patients, Stainless steel crown tooth is the perfect option as they can be done quickly for patients.
Post Operative Care for Stainless Steel Crown
Taking care of the gums and the newly restored teeth can be a challenging task for the child as well as for the parents. It is hard for children to understand the importance of taking care of teeth especially once they are treated with pulp therapy or after the placement of the crown. Patients usually experience some pain, numbness, reddening, inflammation and sensitivity in the gum and teeth area after the procedure. It is important that the stainless steel tooth crown is left to be set for atleast a day and there is no disturbance to the process. Once the crown is properly set in, the patient can resume normal eating and chewing function. It is also important not to pick on the area or touch it as kids usually tend to do that due to the numbness and the tingling sensation that comes after. Parents must exercise caution and help children in dealing with these sensations for some days.
Below are some dos and don'ts for taking care of the teeth and the new crown post its placement:
1. Hard and Sticky Food
It is important to avoid hard food such as chicken or meat bones, candies, crackers etc for a few days so as to avoid any unusual pressure on the crown before its set. Sticky food such as toffees and other such savouries are to be avoided for the first 2 days until the crown is completely set.
2. Picking of the area
The anaesthesia that is given for pulp therapy can make the tongue, upper/lower gum line and the insides of the cheeks numb. Children may not like this sensation and try to pick, scratch and bite the area and fiddle with the crown. This must be avoided at any cost for the couple of hours after the treatment.
3. Gum Sensitivity
The gum and the lining below the tooth can be sensitive after the procedure. Brushing must not be done around the area for the first day or two. Use fingers to gently rub with toothpaste to remove any germs and disinfect the area. The following day onwards a soft toothbrush can be used to brush mildly.
4. Loosening of Crown
Sometimes the crown may become loose and come off. No need to panic in such a situation. All one needs to do is to safely hold on to the crown and meet the dentist as soon as possible who would be able to replace the crown back in its position.
5. Natural replacement of Crown
Once the permanent teeth exfoliate, the crown will naturally fall off. In such a case inform the dentist who may or may not ask for you to come and visit to observe the new teeth and provide a new set of care instructions to follow.
