Shaping Smiles: A Narrative Review of Crown Advancements in Pediatric Dentistry

Abstract

• Review of dental crowns in pediatric dentistry.
• Evolution from stainless steel to aesthetic, biocompatible alternatives like zirconia, resin-based composites, and Bioflex crowns.
• Importance in repairing teeth and improving children's oral health and psychological well-being.
• Methodology: Literature review over two decades using databases like PubMed, Google Scholar.
• Findings:
  • Stainless Steel Crowns (SSCs): Durable, cost-effective but may cause hypersensitivity.
  • Zirconia Crowns: Biocompatible, resistant, aesthetic; costly, requires more tooth reduction.
  • Resin-Based Composite Strip Crowns: Aesthetic, functional; challenges in long-term stability.
  • Bioflex Crowns: Flexible, limited research on effectiveness.
• Emphasizes ongoing research for clinical outcomes and patient quality of life.

Introduction and Background

• Dental crowns crucial for restoration and overall oral health in children.
• Used for forensic purposes, age estimation, dental evidence analysis.
• Evolution from metal to biocompatible materials like zirconia for better aesthetics and outcomes.
• Hall crowns: Effective for managing decay in primary teeth.
• Aim: Examine advancements in crown materials, treatment outcomes, and patient satisfaction.

Review of Crown Types

Stainless Steel Crowns (SSCs)

• Features:
  • High durability, cost-effectiveness, full crown coverage, excellent caries prevention.
  • Aesthetic limitations, risk of nickel hypersensitivity, moderate postoperative discomfort.
• Applications:
  • Pulp-treated teeth, children with dental defects.
  • Complications like microleakage, gingival inflammation.

Zirconia Crowns

• Attributes:
  • High aesthetic outcomes, biocompatibility, resistance to fracture, improved gingival health.
  • Higher cost, more tooth reduction required.
• Indications:
  • Early childhood caries, traumatic dental injuries.
• Benefits:
  • Less plaque accumulation, high parental satisfaction.

Resin-Based Composite Strip Crowns

• Characteristics:
  • Aesthetic, cost-effective, quick restoration.
  • Challenges: Long-term stability, color stability.
• Usage:
  • Primary anterior teeth with extensive coronal destruction.
  • High restoration success rate, reduced chair time.

Bioflex Crowns

• Overview:
  • New development, flexible, combines stainless steel and zirconia properties.
  • Limited comprehensive studies on effectiveness, needs further research.

Comparison of Crown Types

• Stainless Steel Crowns (SSCs): High durability, cost-effective, aesthetic concerns.
• Zirconia Crowns: Excellent aesthetics, biocompatibility, higher cost.
• Resin-Based Composite Strip Crowns: Excellent aesthetics, cost-effective, durability concerns.

Conclusions

• Dental crowns vital for restoring teeth and supporting oral health and well-being in children.
• Each crown type offers unique benefits:
  • SSCs for durability and cost-effectiveness.
  • Zirconia for aesthetics and biocompatibility.
  • Resin-based composites for aesthetics and cost-effectiveness.
• Bioflex crowns show potential, require more research.
• Choice guided by aesthetic needs, durability, cost, clinical indications.

Author Contributions

• Concept, design, data handling, manuscript drafting, and supervision by Omar S. Almajed.