Hall Crowns
Gentle Cavity Repair
At Wilmington Pediatric Dentistry, we offer minimally invasive solutions for more gentle and conservative treatment whenever possible. Perfect for children with dental anxiety and for growing smiles in general, Hall crowns prioritize your child’s comfort by eliminating the use of drills or numbing injections. The results are happy, repaired smiles ready to ride the surf with little intervention!
What Are Hall Crowns?
Hall crowns treat tooth decay on the primary molars that erupt in children around the ages of 13 to 19 months. They were developed by Dr. Norna Hall, a Scottish dentist who sought to simplify the crown technique. Unlike traditional crowns that first require preparation of the tooth by removing the decay with a drill before placing the crown, Hall crowns require no such preparation. Our pediatric dentists simply place the crown onto the tooth, sealing the decay under the crown.
How Do They Work? Why Is It Safe To Leave The Decay?
In the past, dentists thought decay had to be drilled out before fixing a tooth. We now know that’s not always the case. Tooth decay usually starts in tiny hidden spots or crevices where plaque can easily hide and grow. Over time, if the sugar and bacteria is left there undetected, it produces acid that eats away at the tooth.
By cutting off the bacteria’s food supply, it is no longer able to cause damage. That’s how Hall crowns work—by sealing the decay under the crown, the bacteria becomes inactive and the decay stops growing. Therefore, leaving some decay is not “ignoring” the problem or harming the tooth further in any way. Instead, it traps and starves the bacteria so your tooth can stay healthy.
Why Are Baby Molars So Important?
Baby teeth save space for permanent teeth when they are ready to come in and should be taken care of like the precious objects that they are! Baby molars are important to take care of so that they do not fall out early. Losing them prematurely can cause the neighboring teeth to shift to fill the space, causing problems down the road.
Benefits Of Hall Crowns
The Hall crown technique is an effective conservative method to treat tooth decay. These stainless steel crowns are noticeably silver—like a pirate’s tooth! These crowns use silver due to its strength so that the tooth will not fall out before it is ready. The flashy appearance is only temporary, as the molar will be replaced by an adult tooth in time. Other benefits include:
How We Place Hall Crowns
Hall crowns are small silver caps used to protect a child’s back tooth when it has decay, sealing the tooth so the cavity can’t get worse. The process is quick and gentle:
Sail Into The Sunset: Schedule Your Child’s Appointment Today
With no specific preparation required, our pediatric dentists in Wilmington, NC, can easily repair your child’s teeth with Hall crowns in one quick visit. Preserving your child’s baby teeth is one of the most important things you can do for your child’s growing smile.
Let us partner with you to safeguard your child’s oral health. To schedule your child’s pediatric dental appointment in our fun and friendly office, call us at (910) 791-7380.
Catching Waves, Creating Smiles