Why is silver a good option for crowns on primary molars?

Crowns that appear to be made of silver are probably made of a material called amalgam. Amalgam is a word that in the dental world means that mercury (a metal) is mixed with one or more other metals, including silver, tin, and copper. A crown made of amalgam will look like it's made of silver but is actually a combination of at least two metals.

This type of crown can be especially good for primary molars (the baby teeth at the back of a child's mouth) because it is very strong and will be able to handle the force of chewing with the back teeth. Unlike other types of materials used in fillings and crowns, amalgam is more resistant to food and bacteria leaking in-between the crown and the tooth, so tooth decay is less likely to develop.

Another reason why silver-containing amalgam is a good option is that in many cases, the area that is getting the crown or filling must be totally dry. But with amalgam, the crown can be placed even if the area is wet. When treating young children, the ability of amalgam to work even when placed in a wet environment is a major advantage. Finally, crowns made of silver amalgam are less likely than some other crown materials to need replacement. Talk to your child's dentist to decide on the best choice for your child.