Dr. Wang starts by examining your child’s mouth to confirm a crown is the best option. Most families make a separate trip back for the procedure itself, though we do offer emergency dentistry for situations that can’t wait — including same-day crowns when your child needs one right away.
Once the tooth is ready, Dr. Wang fits a pre-made crown into place, secures it with dental cement, and checks the bite before making any final adjustments. There’s no downtime, so your family can head straight back to Milpitas after the appointment. For more on how we approach this treatment, see our pediatric dental crowns overview.
Stainless steel crowns are the go-to option for baby molars — they’re strong enough to handle years of chewing and come pre-fitted in a range of sizes, so most kids finish this step in a single visit instead of waiting on a custom lab crown.
They’re also typically the most budget-friendly option, which makes sense given the tooth underneath is going to fall out on its own eventually. Families driving in from Milpitas appreciate getting the whole procedure done in one trip.
Stainless steel crowns are the go-to option for baby molars — they’re strong enough to handle years of chewing and come pre-fitted in a range of sizes, so most kids finish this step in a single visit instead of waiting on a custom lab crown.
They’re also typically the most budget-friendly option, which makes sense given the tooth underneath is going to fall out on its own eventually. Families driving in from Milpitas appreciate getting the whole procedure done in one trip.
With good home care, stainless steel crowns can hold up for years, but they don’t need to last a decade to do their job. They’re placed on baby teeth, which fall out naturally as adult teeth come in — most kids lose their last baby tooth around age 12 or 13.
Between brushing and flossing at home and check-ups every six months with Dr. Wang, a crown typically stays in good shape for as long as your child actually needs it.
If you’d rather your child not have a silver-colored crown, we also offer pre-fitted zirconia crowns. They’re just as strong and durable as stainless steel, but tooth-colored — a popular pick for front teeth among the Milpitas and Fremont families we see.
Your child’s zirconia crown will look, feel, and function like a natural tooth, with none of the metallic shine.
Crowns typically come into play after dental trauma — a chipped or broken tooth from a fall or a sports mishap — or when a cavity is too extensive for a filling to fix. By capping the entire remaining tooth structure, a crown restores its shape and function and protects it until the adult tooth is ready to take over.
The only way to know for sure is an exam. Many Milpitas families make the short drive to our Fremont office, where Dr. Michael Wang will check your child’s teeth, take any necessary x-rays, and walk you through whether a filling, a crown, or another treatment fits your child’s situation best.
Not really — treat it like a natural tooth. Twice-daily brushing for two minutes, daily flossing, and a check-up with Dr. Wang every six months is all it takes to keep a crown, and the rest of your child’s smile, in good shape. Regular preventive care like cleanings and exams goes a long way too.
Usually, yes. When a crown is medically necessary — for a broken, decayed, or infected tooth — most dental plans cover it up to your policy’s limits. Since coverage varies by plan, we recommend double-checking your specific policy or calling your insurer directly before your child’s visit.
