Silver Crown

What is a "Silver Crown"? (A Guide for Parents and Adults)

The term "silver crown" is a common phrase patients use, but it can refer to two very different types of restorations. Understanding the distinction is key. Most often, it refers to a specific type of protective cap for children, but sometimes adults use it to describe a non-gold metal crown.

Let's break down what a "silver crown" really is in modern dentistry.

For Kids: The Stainless Steel Crown (The "Silver Cap")

This is the most common and accurate use of the term. If your child has a very large cavity on a baby molar, we will often recommend a stainless steel crown.

Parents frequently ask, "Why can't you just place a white filling?" It's an excellent question. When decay on a baby tooth is extensive, a simple filling is not strong enough to withstand chewing forces and is very likely to fracture or fall out before the tooth is ready to be lost naturally.

A stainless steel crown is a prefabricated, silver-colored "helmet" that is fitted over the entire baby tooth in a single visit. Its purpose is purely functional:

  • It's Durable: It's strong enough to last until the baby tooth falls out on its own.
  • It Protects the Tooth: It prevents further decay and protects the weakened tooth from breaking.
  • It Holds Space: Most importantly, it preserves the baby tooth, which acts as a critical placeholder for the permanent tooth to erupt into the correct position.

While it is silver in color, it's the standard of care for saving a badly decayed baby molar and preventing future orthodontic problems.

For Adults: A Colloquial Term for a Metal Crown

When adults talk about a "silver crown," they are typically referring to a permanent crown made from a strong, silver-colored metal alloy (like a non-precious or semi-precious metal). These are not made of actual silver.

As we covered in our Metal Crown definition, these restorations are chosen for one reason: incredible strength. They are exceptionally durable and kind to the opposing teeth, but their metallic appearance means we only use them on far-back, non-visible molars where aesthetics are not a concern. For most adult cases today, we can achieve the same or better strength with modern, tooth-colored materials like Zirconia.

Here's what we want you to remember:

The term "silver crown" most often refers to a durable stainless steel cap used to save a baby tooth in a child. For adults, it's a colloquial term for a strong metal crown. In both cases, the focus is on function and durability over aesthetics.

Every patient's situation is unique.

For a child, a stainless steel crown may be the best way to preserve a baby tooth and ensure healthy development. For an adult, we weigh the pros and cons of all materials, from metal alloys to advanced ceramics, to find the perfect solution for your specific tooth and needs.

Have questions about a crown for your child?

Or are you trying to decide on the right material for an adult crown? We're here to give you honest, personalized answers. Schedule a consultation at our Woodland Hills practice – let's talk about what's really best for your smile.