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Pediatric Crowns in Fullerton, CA

Pediatric crowns are tooth-shaped caps that fully cover and protect a damaged child’s tooth. They restore chewing function, stop further decay, and keep your child’s smile on track, often in a single visit. If a tooth is too damaged for a dental filling, a crown is usually the best way to save it. 

No parent wants their child dealing with toothaches or broken teeth. Pediatric crowns are quick, comfortable, and built to last until the baby tooth naturally falls out.

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Why Your Child May Need a Crown

A simple filling works well for minor decay. When damage goes deeper, a filling can’t restore the full strength of the tooth.

A crown covers the entire damaged tooth. It protects against further breakdown and keeps the tooth stable until the permanent tooth comes in.

Common reasons children need pediatric crowns include:

  • Extensive decay: Affects multiple surfaces of the tooth
  • Dental trauma: Fractures from falls, sports injuries, or accidents
  • Enamel defects: Developmental conditions that weaken tooth structure
  • After pulp therapy: A crown is almost always needed following a pulpotomy
  • Higher cavity risk: Certain health conditions or medications that increase susceptibility to damage

At ChildSmiles OC, Dr. Dowlaty brings specialized pediatric training and hands-on restorative dentistry experience to every crown procedure. 

Types of Pediatric Dental Crowns

The right crown depends on which tooth needs treatment and how much damage is present. Here is a plain-language breakdown of your options.

Stainless Steel Crowns

Stainless steel crowns have been the go-to option in pediatric dentistry for decades. They are durable, decay-resistant, and placed using prefabricated sizes, which means less chair time for younger or anxious kids.

  • Appearance: Silver; less noticeable on back molars, more visible on front teeth
  • Best for: Back molars where chewing forces are highest
  • Pros: Most affordable, fast to place, proven track record
  • Cons: Silver color makes them less ideal for front teeth

Zirconia Crowns

Zirconia crowns are tooth-colored and strong. They have become a widely used choice in pediatric dentistry over the past decade, especially for families who prioritize a natural look.

  • Appearance: Tooth-colored, matched to surrounding teeth
  • Best for: Front teeth and visible back teeth
  • Pros: Natural aesthetics, gentle on gum tissue, stain-resistant
  • Cons: Higher cost; may require slightly more tooth preparation

Resin-Veneered Stainless Steel Crowns

This option combines a stainless steel core with a white facing on the front surface. It offers a more natural look at a lower price point than full zirconia.

  • Best for: Front teeth when full zirconia is not covered by insurance
  • Cons: The facing can chip with heavy use

Composite Strip Crowns

A clear plastic form is filled with composite resin, placed over the tooth, and hardened in place. No metal is involved.

  • Best for: Front primary teeth in toddlers and preschool-age children
  • Pros: Most natural appearance, metal-free
  • Cons: Shorter lifespan and more prone to chipping than other types

Our team will always recommend the option that fits your child’s age, tooth location, and your family’s needs.

Why Choose ChildSmiles OC for Your Child’s Crown

Pediatric crowns are a routine procedure for the right team. The difference between a stressful visit and an easy one comes down to who’s placing the crown and how the appointment is run. Here’s what sets ChildSmiles OC apart.

Board-Certified Pediatric Specialist

Dr. Dowlaty is a board-certified pediatric dentist with over 15 years of experience treating children exclusively. Board certification through the American Board of Pediatric Dentistry requires extensive training beyond a standard dental degree, so your child is getting care from a specialist trained specifically in the anatomy of primary teeth and the techniques that keep treatment short, gentle, and predictable.

Full Range of Crown Options

We offer stainless steel, zirconia, resin-veneered, and composite strip crowns, and recommend based on what’s best for the tooth, not what’s most convenient to place. Back molar that takes heavy chewing? Stainless steel for durability. Front tooth a parent will see in every photo for the next four years? Tooth-colored zirconia. You’ll get a clear, honest recommendation with the trade-offs explained up front.

A Calm, Kid-First Experience

Anxiety is the biggest reason crown appointments go sideways, so we build the whole visit around keeping your child comfortable. Treatment rooms have iPads and TVs for distraction. Procedures are explained in language kids understand. Complimentary meet-and-greets let nervous children get familiar with the office before treatment day, and nitrous oxide and deeper sedation options are available when needed.

Straightforward Pricing and Insurance Support

No surprise bills. We accept all major dental insurance plans, verify your benefits before treatment, and offer healthcare financing and in-house membership plans for families without coverage. You’ll know what a crown costs and what your plan covers before we start, not after.

What to Expect During Crown Placement

Most families are surprised by how straightforward the process is. Here is what happens, step by step.

Step 1: Exam and X-Rays

We start with a visual exam and digital X-ray. This confirms a crown is the right solution and gives us a clear picture of root health and damage extent.

Step 2: Anesthesia and Comfort Options

Local anesthesia ensures your child won’t feel pain during the procedure. For anxious children, we also offer nitrous oxide and additional sedation options. We will discuss the best fit at your consultation.

Step 3: Tooth Preparation

We remove decay and gently shape the tooth to fit the crown. Your child will feel light pressure, not pain.

Step 4: Crown Placement and Cementation

For stainless steel crowns, we select the right prefabricated size, fit it, and cement it in place, all in one visit. Some zirconia crowns can be made chairside. Others are sent to a lab, with a temporary crown placed while you wait.

Step 5: Bite Check and Care Instructions

We check the bite and walk you through home care before you leave. This covers which foods to avoid and how to brush around the new crown.

Most stainless steel crown appointments are completed in a single visit of 45–75 minutes. Zirconia crowns requiring lab fabrication typically involve two visits.

After the Appointment

Mild soreness or gum tenderness for 24–48 hours is completely normal. Soft foods on the first day help with comfort. Children’s ibuprofen or acetaminophen can manage any lingering soreness. If the bite feels very high or pain does not improve within a couple of days, call us right away.

Keeping Care Accessible

Every child deserves the chance at a healthy grin. That’s why we have payment options for every budget.

Insurance-Friendly Office

Healthcare Financing Options

Membership Plans Available

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The Benefits of Pediatric Dental Crowns

Cost-Effective

Dental crowns are the most affordable way to repair damaged teeth and protect them for years to come. Stainless steel crowns are particularly inexpensive, making them a great choice for restoring baby teeth and protecting them until they fall out naturally.

Prevent Complications

If your pediatric dentist recommends a crown for your child and they don’t get treatment, they could be at risk of further problems like tooth infections. These complications could cause pain and discomfort, worsen their oral health, and lead to additional costly treatments like root canal therapy. With a crown, you can protect their tooth and avoid these complications entirely.

Minimally-Invasive

Dental crowns only involve removing material from the outside of the tooth, so they're minimally-invasive. Your pediatric dentist will numb your child’s mouth and can also explore sedation options to keep them comfortable during treatment. You can trust us to deliver the expert, child-friendly care your little one needs.

What makes us different

Board-Certified Pediatric Dentist

Rest assured that your child is receiving top-notch, specialized care with our Board-Certified Pediatric Dentist. To be recognized by The American Board of Pediatric Dentistry, doctors must undergo extensive training in the pediatric field in addition to their standard dental degrees.

Stainless Steel Crowns

Extremely durable and affordable, stainless steel crowns are excellent for restoring rear baby teeth, as they’re able to hold up to the wear and tear of chewing. Because of their silver color, they are ideal for rear teeth that don’t show when your little one smiles, as well as for baby teeth that are destined to be replaced with permanent ones.

White Zirconia Crowns

A ceramic alternative to traditional stainless steel crowns, zirconia crowns look and feel more natural, and can be color-matched to the rest of your child’s grin. They’re a great option for restoring your little one’s front teeth, so they can smile with confidence.

Complimentary Meet & Greets

Going to the dentist can be a scary prospect for children (and even some adults!), but it doesn’t have to be. If your child is anxious about visiting the dentist, schedule a meet & greet so they can meet the team and become familiar with the office. Once they’ve gotten to know us, they’ll see there’s nothing to be afraid of after all!

Restore Your Child’s Smile at ChildSmiles OC

Extensive tooth damage does not have to mean discomfort, missed school days, or drawn-out procedures. Pediatric crowns are one of the most effective tools in children’s dentistry, and at ChildSmiles OC, they are placed by a specialist with dedicated training in treating young patients.


Dr. Dowlaty’s focused experience in pediatric restorative care means your child gets expert treatment without the stress. As a trusted pediatric dentist in Fullerton, he leads a team that keeps the environment genuinely kid-friendly, explains every step in plain language, and moves at your child’s pace. Families leave with clear, simple care instructions.


Whether your child definitely needs a crown or you are still not sure, a consultation is the easiest next step. We will give you a clear answer and a straightforward plan; no pressure, no guesswork.


Contact ChildSmiles OC to schedule your child’s crown consultation. Gentle, expert care for every smile.

The Pediatric Dental Crown Treatment Process

Tooth Numbing & Preparation

To begin the process, your child’s dentist will numb their mouth. Then, they will use a drill to remove all of the damaged or decayed enamel from their tooth. They will shape the tooth into a strong, stable platform. This ensures the dental crown can attach tightly to the remaining tooth.

Dental Crown Fitting

After your child’s tooth has been prepared, their dentist will take impressions or models of their teeth. These are used to build a custom dental crown. This step is not needed for pre-fitted stainless steel crowns.

Building & Placing The Crown

If your child is getting a stainless steel crown, their dentist will simply choose a pre-fitted crown, then cement it in place. But if they’re getting a custom crown, their dentist will send their impressions or models to a dental lab. There, a technician will build a custom-fitted ceramic crown. Your child will get a temporary crown, then you’ll come back in a few weeks to have their ceramic crown permanently attached to their tooth.

FaQ's

Frequently Asked Questions

Check out these frequently asked questions, or call us to speak with our team.

When a primary tooth has extensive decay, a large fracture, or has undergone a pulpotomy, a filling cannot restore its structural integrity. A crown protects the tooth until it naturally falls out. Without it, premature tooth loss can cause neighboring teeth to shift and affect how permanent teeth come in.
After your child’s tooth has been prepared, their dentist will take impressions or models of their teeth. These are used to build a custom dental crown. This step is not needed for pre-fitted stainless steel crowns.
During the procedure, no. Local anesthesia prevents pain. Mild soreness in the 24–48 hours after is normal and easy to manage with children’s ibuprofen or acetaminophen. Nitrous oxide and sedation options are available for children who feel anxious.
They are durable, decay-resistant, and placed in one visit. Because they stay in place only until the baby tooth naturally falls out, no removal procedure is ever needed.
Most dental insurance plans cover pediatric crowns when medically necessary, such as after extensive decay or a pulpotomy. Stainless steel crowns are the most commonly covered. Zirconia coverage varies by plan. Our team will verify your benefits and walk you through expected costs before treatment.
Save the crown if you can find it and call our office right away. Do not try to recement it at home. In most cases, we can clean and re-cement the same crown at a brief follow-up visit. In the meantime, have your child avoid chewing on that side and keep the area clean with gentle brushing.