View Full Version : Caps for young kids, how common is this?
ltibo
Jan 13, 2011, 10:19 PM
Our son has been told that he needs caps on 4 out of his 8 molars and possibly filings or caps on the other 4. First, how common is this in young kids (our son is 4.5)? Our son brushes twice a day, we help him at night and floss at night. The Pediatric Dentist assured me that his is not a lack of dental hygene, it is because our son has paper thin enamal and the tops of molars are tight against each other, while leaving space between the gums and the tops... Please, is this invasive procedure 'normal' or should I look for another opinion? Our son has an appointment to go under general anestetic, but I am anxious about all this. Please let me know all that you can. Blessings!
tickle
Jan 14, 2011, 07:09 AM
It is good that you took him to the dentist at 4 1/2, that way he gets used to the procedures, gets to see what the chair looks like with accountrements, etc.
Bear in mind he will lose these teeth anyway, thin enamel or not. What you have to be concerned about is the adult teeth coming in properly.
I would get a second opinion if I were you, and even then a third opinion and weigh all of your options. I know you want to do the best thing by him, but the best thing may not be caps at all. The problem is, as those teeth decay, and they will with thin enamel, the gums may suffer as well, keep that in mind.
Tick
verrob
Jan 16, 2011, 01:54 PM
HELLO
I would go for a 2nd opinion, and if they say the same thing, I would definitely do the crowns on the baby teeth. Your child is only 4.5 yrs old, he will have these teeth for some years yet. And DDS have different reasons for doing crowns on baby teeth. One is if they are prone to decay, once you put a crown on the tooth, you have repaired it until its ready to come out. Another reason is, you only submit your child once to repair, instead of going back for a filling on one location, and then a filling on the same tooth, but a second location and so on.
I hope this helps you out, and good luck.
flossie
Jan 17, 2011, 05:55 AM
Remember that even though a tooth has a crown on it decay can still develop under the crown.
I agree with tick... get a second opinion.