A baby tooth that needs a crown doesn’t have to look like jewelry. Zirconia crowns blend with the rest of your child’s smile and stand up to everything kids do.
Dr. Heather Hudkins is the only provider in Springfield placing zirconia crowns on kids. Families and other dental practices in the area refer their patients to us specifically for this reason.
Zirconia is a strong, biocompatible ceramic. The same material adult dentistry uses for high-end crowns. Sized and shaped for primary teeth. They look natural. Most parents can’t tell which tooth is the crown by the time we’re done.
Built to last until the baby tooth falls out naturally. They handle apple bites, popsicles, soccer balls, and everything else kids do to teeth.
We numb the tooth gently. Clean out any decay. If the nerve is involved, we’ll do pulp therapy first to save the tooth. Then we shape the tooth, fit the zirconia crown, adjust the bite, and cement it in place. Tell, Show, Do every step of the way. Most kids handle this in one visit.
Behavior management first. Nitrous or general anesthesia available if it would help, especially for younger kids or for cases involving multiple crowns.
Zirconia crowns for kids are technique-sensitive. Not every provider in our region places them. Dr. Heather has been doing them for years and we’ve built our process around getting them right. If you’re a referring practice, we welcome the case and we’ll send the kid right back to you for ongoing care after the crown work is done.
Higher than stainless steel. Worth it for many families. We talk through the cost before any treatment so there are no surprises, and most insurance plans cover at least part of the procedure.
A confident smile can make a big difference in your child's life. We're here to help every young patient achieve a healthy smile they can be proud to share.
