The restorative treatment options for dental decay in primary teeth include filling with various dental materials or the placement of stainless steel crowns (SSCs). The filling materials include compomers, glass ionomer cements, and composite resin. The American Academy of Paediatric Dentistry (AAPD) recommends SSCs for children at high risk for caries who have anterior tooth caries lesions and/or molar caries lesions. The goal is to protect the remaining tooth surfaces that are at risk. SSCs
A total of 428 SSCs were evaluated in 171 children age 1.1 to 8.8 years. Assessments done after 1, 3, and 5 years of service focused on measures of marginal adaptation, extension and proximal contacts of SSCs, plaque, and gingival bleeding at the SSC site. Caries experience was also noted.
Most (91.6%) of the SSCs were fitted under general anesthesia, with 8.2% under local anesthesia with medical sedation and 0.5% under local anesthesia only. Evaluations at 1 year of service were done for 215 SSCs, at 3 years for 157 SSCs, and at 5 years for 56 SSCs.
The overall success rate was 97.2%, with the lowest success rates after 5 years (89.3%) and the highest after 1 year (98.6%). Clinical failure occurred because of loss of restoration in 8 children, pathological mobility of the tooth
SSCs proved successful for children at high risk for caries. The success rate was 97.2%, indicating SSCs are a good choice for children whose caries status is compromised. Clinical Significance Dentists may still be reluctant to place SSCs in pediatric patients at high risk for caries and those who have moderate or inadequate oral hygiene practices. However, if used properly, SSCs are better than amalgam fillings or tooth-colored filling materials for managing extensive, multi-surface carious
Schüler IM, Hiller M, Roloff T, et al: Clinical success of stainless steel crowns placed under general anaesthesia in primary molars: An observational follow up study. J Dent 42:1396-1403, 2014
Reprints available from IM Schüler, Dept of Preventive Dentistry and Paediatric Dentistry, Jena Univ Hosp, Bachstr 18, Jena D-07743, Germany; fax: +49 3641 9 34802; e-mail: [email protected]
