Gentle, Durable Crowns That Protect Growing Smiles
A dental crown is a custom-fitted cap that covers a damaged or weakened tooth, restoring its strength and shape. For children, crowns are most often durable stainless steel “silver caps” placed on back baby teeth – usually in a single visit – protecting the tooth until it falls out naturally. At Kennedy Dental Care, our board-certified pediatric dentists place crowns for kids, and our general dentists provide crowns for teens and adults, at all four Corpus Christi offices.
The tooth is gently numbed, the decay is removed and the tooth shaped, and the right-sized stainless steel crown is fitted and cemented – all in one appointment. Nitrous oxide is available to keep nervous kids relaxed.
The tooth is prepared and digital impressions are taken, a temporary crown protects it while the custom crown is made, and at the second visit the permanent crown is fitted, adjusted, and bonded. With good care, permanent crowns last 10–15 years or longer.
The two questions we hear most – answered honestly – plus the crown types we offer.
Parents are often surprised when a crown is recommended for a tooth that will eventually fall out – but there are good reasons:
The cavity is too large for a filling. When decay has weakened too much of the tooth, a filling cannot hold; a crown covers and protects the whole tooth.
The tooth is fractured or badly worn. A crown restores structure so your child can chew comfortably.
The tooth has been weakened by deep decay or treatment. A crown protects what remains and keeps the tooth working until it is naturally ready to fall out.
Saving the baby tooth matters: it holds space for the adult tooth, supports clear speech and comfortable chewing, and prevents the pain and spread of untreated decay.
Those silver caps are stainless steel crowns – prefabricated, tooth-shaped caps that pediatric dentists have used for decades because they are strong, reliable, and fast. They are the go-to choice for back baby molars, where durability matters more than looks, and they typically go on in one visit.
When the baby tooth is ready to fall out on its own, the crown simply comes out with it – that is normal and expected.
Stainless Steel Crowns (kids). The pediatric workhorse for back baby teeth – durable, dependable, single-visit placement.
Tooth-Colored Options for Visible Teeth (kids). For front or highly visible teeth, natural-looking crown options may be available depending on the tooth and the case.
Crowns for Permanent Teeth (teens & adults). For teens and adults, we provide custom lab-made crowns in porcelain, ceramic, zirconia, and metal, matched to the tooth's job and your preferences.
At Kennedy Dental Care, we believe every child deserves a healthy, comfortable smile – and when a baby tooth is badly decayed or damaged, a crown is often the treatment that saves it. Since 1969, families across Corpus Christi, Portland, TX, Annaville, Flour Bluff, and Robstown have trusted our team for gentle restorative care, and because we care for the whole family, teens and adults get expert crown treatment here too.
55+
Years serving the Coastal Bend
04
Convenient locations
4.9★
Average patient rating
Crown visits are longer than checkups, and some children – especially young ones or kids needing several crowns – do best with extra help relaxing. Nitrous oxide, oral conscious sedation, and general anesthesia are available at all four of our offices, and your dentist will recommend what fits your child. Parents can be present, and we explain each step before it happens.
Brush and floss normally – crowns need clean gums around them just like natural teeth. Go easy on sticky candies that can tug at a crown, keep up six-month checkups so we can watch it, and remember: a stainless steel crown coming out with the baby tooth when it is ready is exactly how it is supposed to work. If a crown ever comes loose before then, call us at (361) 992-9500.
Crown costs depend on the tooth and crown type, so we review the estimate with you before treatment begins. Most insurance plans cover restorative treatment like crowns, we accept Medicaid and CHIP, and membership plan families receive 25% off additional procedures – which includes crowns. CareCredit and Cherry financing are also available.
Book an AppointmentCrown treatment designed for small patients, by specialists in exactly that.
From nitrous to general anesthesia, comfort is built in – not referred out.
Kids' crowns, teen crowns, and adult crowns without changing practices.
A 4.9-star average across 3250+ Google reviews, serving Coastal Bend families since 1969.
Pediatric Dentistry Team
III, M.S., D.D.S.
Dr. Paul Kennedy, known to his patients as “Dr. Paul,” is a lifelong resident of Corpus Christi with a deep passion for improving children's oral health.
He attended Windsor Park Elementary, Baker Middle School, and graduated from Mary Carroll High School. He then earned a Bachelor of Arts in Biology from Baylor University and a Master of Science from Texas A&M – Corpus Christi. Dr. Paul completed his dental degree at the University of the Pacific School of Dentistry in San Francisco and received his certificate in pediatric dentistry from the University of Texas Health Science Center in San Antonio.
Dr. Paul is actively involved in professional organizations, including the American Academy of Pediatric Dentistry (AAPD) and the Texas Dental Association (TDA).
Outside of the office, he enjoys fishing, boating, and spending time outdoors with his wife, Merritt, and their two children.
Kennedy Dental Care holds a 4.9-star average rating across 3,250+ Google reviews – a reflection of the care our team brings to every visit.
“I can not express how deeply I appreciate the staff and the dentists. They are amazing people each and everyone of the staff members. Always kind ,friendly welcoming, and very professional. I have had nothing but good experiences at this location.”
“Our experience from the front end to check out was nothing short of amazing. My daughters always feel welcomed and at ease when going to the dentist. My youngest was asked to hit a home run for KDC at her game and she did!”
“Absolutely love this place &’ it was only our first time there. Everyone was welcoming, very nice &’ patient with my daughter. So glad my friend referred us here 😃.”
“I was very hesitant about my daughter having a frenectomy procedure done, but the staff and Dr. Pruitt provided the most amazing experience I could have asked for. Their knowledge, patience, kindness, and reassurance made everything OK. I couldn't have asked for a better experience. I highly recommend them. If I could give 10 stars, I would definitely give them 10 stars.”
“The BEST patient experience like always. Both hygienist were very sweet with my kids & the dentist was sweet as well and I loved that she explained every question I had, to top it all off my kids adored meeting service dog Scout that’s goes every Thursday. Her and her handler were amazing. I love that my kids look forward to their cleanings every 6 months. 10/10’recommend to anyone looking for a dental pediatric home! 🤍”
“I can not express how deeply I appreciate the staff and the dentists. They are amazing people each and everyone of the staff members. Always kind ,friendly welcoming, and very professional. I have had nothing but good experiences at this location.”
“Our experience from the front end to check out was nothing short of amazing. My daughters always feel welcomed and at ease when going to the dentist. My youngest was asked to hit a home run for KDC at her game and she did!”
“Absolutely love this place &’ it was only our first time there. Everyone was welcoming, very nice &’ patient with my daughter. So glad my friend referred us here 😃.”
“I was very hesitant about my daughter having a frenectomy procedure done, but the staff and Dr. Pruitt provided the most amazing experience I could have asked for. Their knowledge, patience, kindness, and reassurance made everything OK. I couldn't have asked for a better experience. I highly recommend them. If I could give 10 stars, I would definitely give them 10 stars.”
“The BEST patient experience like always. Both hygienist were very sweet with my kids & the dentist was sweet as well and I loved that she explained every question I had, to top it all off my kids adored meeting service dog Scout that’s goes every Thursday. Her and her handler were amazing. I love that my kids look forward to their cleanings every 6 months. 10/10’recommend to anyone looking for a dental pediatric home! 🤍”
“I can not express how deeply I appreciate the staff and the dentists. They are amazing people each and everyone of the staff members. Always kind ,friendly welcoming, and very professional. I have had nothing but good experiences at this location.”
“Our experience from the front end to check out was nothing short of amazing. My daughters always feel welcomed and at ease when going to the dentist. My youngest was asked to hit a home run for KDC at her game and she did!”
“Absolutely love this place &’ it was only our first time there. Everyone was welcoming, very nice &’ patient with my daughter. So glad my friend referred us here 😃.”
“I was very hesitant about my daughter having a frenectomy procedure done, but the staff and Dr. Pruitt provided the most amazing experience I could have asked for. Their knowledge, patience, kindness, and reassurance made everything OK. I couldn't have asked for a better experience. I highly recommend them. If I could give 10 stars, I would definitely give them 10 stars.”
“The BEST patient experience like always. Both hygienist were very sweet with my kids & the dentist was sweet as well and I loved that she explained every question I had, to top it all off my kids adored meeting service dog Scout that’s goes every Thursday. Her and her handler were amazing. I love that my kids look forward to their cleanings every 6 months. 10/10’recommend to anyone looking for a dental pediatric home! 🤍”
“I can not express how deeply I appreciate the staff and the dentists. They are amazing people each and everyone of the staff members. Always kind ,friendly welcoming, and very professional. I have had nothing but good experiences at this location.”
“Our experience from the front end to check out was nothing short of amazing. My daughters always feel welcomed and at ease when going to the dentist. My youngest was asked to hit a home run for KDC at her game and she did!”
“Absolutely love this place &’ it was only our first time there. Everyone was welcoming, very nice &’ patient with my daughter. So glad my friend referred us here 😃.”
“I was very hesitant about my daughter having a frenectomy procedure done, but the staff and Dr. Pruitt provided the most amazing experience I could have asked for. Their knowledge, patience, kindness, and reassurance made everything OK. I couldn't have asked for a better experience. I highly recommend them. If I could give 10 stars, I would definitely give them 10 stars.”
“The BEST patient experience like always. Both hygienist were very sweet with my kids & the dentist was sweet as well and I loved that she explained every question I had, to top it all off my kids adored meeting service dog Scout that’s goes every Thursday. Her and her handler were amazing. I love that my kids look forward to their cleanings every 6 months. 10/10’recommend to anyone looking for a dental pediatric home! 🤍”
“I can not express how deeply I appreciate the staff and the dentists. They are amazing people each and everyone of the staff members. Always kind ,friendly welcoming, and very professional. I have had nothing but good experiences at this location.”
“Our experience from the front end to check out was nothing short of amazing. My daughters always feel welcomed and at ease when going to the dentist. My youngest was asked to hit a home run for KDC at her game and she did!”
“Absolutely love this place &’ it was only our first time there. Everyone was welcoming, very nice &’ patient with my daughter. So glad my friend referred us here 😃.”
“I was very hesitant about my daughter having a frenectomy procedure done, but the staff and Dr. Pruitt provided the most amazing experience I could have asked for. Their knowledge, patience, kindness, and reassurance made everything OK. I couldn't have asked for a better experience. I highly recommend them. If I could give 10 stars, I would definitely give them 10 stars.”
“The BEST patient experience like always. Both hygienist were very sweet with my kids & the dentist was sweet as well and I loved that she explained every question I had, to top it all off my kids adored meeting service dog Scout that’s goes every Thursday. Her and her handler were amazing. I love that my kids look forward to their cleanings every 6 months. 10/10’recommend to anyone looking for a dental pediatric home! 🤍”
“I can not express how deeply I appreciate the staff and the dentists. They are amazing people each and everyone of the staff members. Always kind ,friendly welcoming, and very professional. I have had nothing but good experiences at this location.”
“Our experience from the front end to check out was nothing short of amazing. My daughters always feel welcomed and at ease when going to the dentist. My youngest was asked to hit a home run for KDC at her game and she did!”
“Absolutely love this place &’ it was only our first time there. Everyone was welcoming, very nice &’ patient with my daughter. So glad my friend referred us here 😃.”
“I was very hesitant about my daughter having a frenectomy procedure done, but the staff and Dr. Pruitt provided the most amazing experience I could have asked for. Their knowledge, patience, kindness, and reassurance made everything OK. I couldn't have asked for a better experience. I highly recommend them. If I could give 10 stars, I would definitely give them 10 stars.”
“The BEST patient experience like always. Both hygienist were very sweet with my kids & the dentist was sweet as well and I loved that she explained every question I had, to top it all off my kids adored meeting service dog Scout that’s goes every Thursday. Her and her handler were amazing. I love that my kids look forward to their cleanings every 6 months. 10/10’recommend to anyone looking for a dental pediatric home! 🤍”
When decay or damage is too extensive for a filling, a crown protects what remains of the tooth. Baby teeth hold space for adult teeth and support chewing and speech, so saving them matters – a crown keeps the tooth working until it falls out naturally.
They are stainless steel crowns – prefabricated caps pediatric dentists use on back baby molars because they are durable, dependable, and usually placed in a single visit. The crown comes out naturally with the baby tooth when it is ready.
The tooth is numbed first, so your child should feel pressure, not pain. Nitrous oxide can keep nervous kids relaxed, and deeper sedation options are available when a child needs extra support.
They are designed to protect the tooth for its natural lifetime – the crown falls out with the baby tooth when it is ready. Crowns on permanent teeth last 10–15 years or longer with good care.
Call us at (361) 992-9500 – a loose crown is usually a quick fix, and we will get your child seen promptly.
Most plans cover restorative treatment like crowns, and we accept Medicaid and CHIP. Membership plan families receive 25% off procedures, and CareCredit and Cherry financing are available – we review the estimate with you before treatment.
If your child's dentist has recommended a crown – or a tooth looks damaged and you are not sure what it needs – book a visit at any of our four Corpus Christi offices. You will get a clear explanation, a clear estimate, and gentle care.
(361) 992-9500
