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Paediatric Dentistry · Berala

Stainless Steel Crowns for Kids (Silver Caps)

A strong, gentle way to save a badly decayed baby tooth — often with no drill and no needle, using the child-friendly Hall technique.

Bulk-billed under Medicare CDBS* Often no drilling Gentle, in the chair
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What is a stainless steel crown for a child?

A stainless steel crown (often called a “silver cap”) is a strong, pre-shaped metal cover that fits over a whole baby molar that is too decayed or broken for a normal filling. It protects the tooth from further decay and pain, and keeps it working until it falls out naturally. At Berala Dental we place most of them gently, often without a drill or needle.

Saves the toothCovers and protects a heavily decayed baby molar so it can stay until it’s ready to fall out.
Gentle & drill-freeThe Hall technique seals the crown on without drilling — and usually without a needle.
Two easy visitsVisit 1 sets a tiny blue spacer; visit 2 fits the crown. No long appointments.
Bulk-billed*No out-of-pocket cost for children eligible under Medicare CDBS. Check eligibility.
Stainless steel crown fitted over a lower baby molar at Berala Dental
A stainless steel crown covers the whole baby molar, sealing out decay.

When does my child need a crown instead of a filling?

A filling works well for small holes. But when decay is large, has reached several surfaces, or the tooth has already had a pulpotomy, a normal filling often won’t hold. A stainless steel crown wraps the entire tooth, so it’s far less likely to break or leak — which means fewer repeat visits for your child.

A crown is usually the better choice when:

  • The decay is large or covers more than one side of the tooth
  • A big filling keeps chipping or falling out
  • The tooth has had nerve treatment (a pulpotomy)
  • The tooth still has a few years left before it’s due to fall out
  • Your child finds long filling appointments hard to sit through
The gentle, drill-free method

How we fit a stainless steel crown — the Hall technique

The Hall technique is a well-researched, child-friendly way to place a crown without drilling, numbing or removing decay. Sealing the tooth completely starves the decay of food and stops it in its tracks. It usually takes two short, relaxed visits.

Visit 1 · with the check-up & clean

A tiny blue spacer goes between the teeth

We place a small blue separator band beside the tooth to gently open a hair’s-width of space — exactly what the crown needs to slide on. This is quick and comfortable, and we usually do it during your child’s friendly check-up & clean. The band stays in for a few days and does the work for us, so no drilling is needed.

Visit 2 · fitting the crown

The crown is sealed on — no drill, usually no needle

At the second visit we remove the little blue band, choose the crown that fits best, and seal it firmly over the tooth with a protective cement. Because the spacer already made room, there’s no drilling and, in most cases, no needle. Most children find this the easy part — it’s often quicker than a filling.

Blue separator bands placed between a child's molars before a stainless steel crown
Blue separator bands gently make space between the teeth at the first visit.

Some teeth — for example after deep decay — may still need a little numbing or a different approach. We’ll always explain the gentlest suitable option for your child before we start, with no pressure.

Does it hurt? Is it safe?

Because there’s usually no drilling and no needle, most children stay relaxed in the chair. Our team is trained to keep little ones calm and confident, and for anxious children we can offer happy gas (nitrous oxide) — though most kids don’t need it.

Stainless steel crowns have been used in children’s dentistry for decades. They are made of strong, safe metal and contain no mercury. The crown simply stays in place and protects the tooth until it’s naturally pushed out by the adult tooth underneath.

How long does it last?

A stainless steel crown is designed to protect the baby tooth for the rest of its natural life in the mouth — then it comes away with the tooth when the adult tooth is ready to come through. It’s one of the most reliable ways to avoid repeat fillings on the same tooth.

You can help it last by keeping up the simple basics: brushing morning and night, and a 6-monthly check-up & clean so we can keep an eye on every tooth.

Medicare CDBS

Is a stainless steel crown bulk-billed?

Yes — for children who are eligible for the Child Dental Benefits Schedule (CDBS), stainless steel crowns are bulk-billed, so there’s no out-of-pocket cost to you for that treatment. CDBS gives eligible children up to $1,158 in dental benefits over two calendar years, and Medicare pays the clinic directly.

Not sure if your child qualifies? It only takes a moment to find out.

Check CDBS eligibilitySee our fees

*Eligibility is set by Medicare and changes from time to time. We’ll always confirm your child’s eligibility with you before treatment.

Related children’s dental care at Berala

A stainless steel crown is one part of keeping your child’s smile healthy. These services often go hand-in-hand:

Friendly check-up & cleanThe 6-monthly visit that prevents most crownsPulpotomy (baby tooth nerve care)Often topped with a stainless steel crownCavity removal & kids fillingsFor smaller areas of decayHappy gas for nervous kidsCalm, relaxed visits when needed
Parents often ask

Stainless steel crown FAQs

What is a stainless steel crown (silver cap)? +

It’s a strong, pre-made metal cover that fits over a whole baby molar that’s too decayed for a normal filling. It seals and protects the tooth so it can keep working until it falls out naturally.

Does my child need a needle or drilling? +

In most cases, no. Using the Hall technique we seal the crown on without drilling, and a needle isn’t needed in many cases. Some teeth with deep decay may need a little numbing first — we’ll always tell you beforehand.

What are the little blue bands for? +

The blue separator bands are placed at the first visit to gently create a hair’s-width of space between the teeth. That space lets the crown slide neatly into place at the second visit — no drilling required.

How many appointments does it take? +

Usually two short visits. The blue spacer goes in at the first visit (often during the check-up & clean), and the crown is fitted a few days later at the second visit.

Is a stainless steel crown bulk-billed under CDBS? +

For eligible children, yes — it’s bulk-billed under the Child Dental Benefits Schedule, with no out-of-pocket cost for that treatment. You can check your child’s eligibility in a moment.

Do silver crowns contain mercury? +

No. Stainless steel crowns are made of strong, safe metal and contain no mercury. They’ve been used in children’s dentistry for decades.

How long will the crown stay on? +

It’s designed to protect the baby tooth until the adult tooth underneath is ready to come through — then it comes away naturally with the baby tooth. Regular check-ups help us keep an eye on it.

Worried about your child’s tooth?

Bring them in for a gentle look. We’ll explain the kindest option in plain language — whether that’s a filling, a crown, or simply keeping an eye on it.

Book onlineMessage on WhatsAppCall (02) 9649 6468

Berala Dental · 184 Woodburn Rd, Berala NSW 2141 · caring for local families since 2002