Indications for full coverage of anterior teeth are:Incisors with large interproximal lesions
Incisors with hypoplastic defects
Unaesthetic incisors due to discoloration
Incisors that have undergone pulp therapy with significant loss of tooth structure
Incisors with significant tooth loss due to trauma or caries
Incisors with small carious lesions and with large areas of cervical discoloration
The types of full coverage for anterior primary teeth currently available are:
Table 1 summarizes the properties and selection criteria of various full coverage techniques currently available to practitioners.
| Table 1. Comparison of Full coverage Techniques for Primary Teeth |
Restoration and
placement area | Aesthetics | Durability | Time for
Placement | Selection
criteria |
Stainless steel crowns.
(Posterior teeth) | Poor | Very good.
Very retentive.
Wears well. | Fast.
Aesthetics not
a concern. | Aesthetics not involved.
Severely decayed teeth.
Use when unable to control gingival hemorrhage or moisture and less than ideal patient cooperation. |
Open faced stainless steel crowns.
(Posterior and anterior teeth) | Fair.
Metal shows through facing.
| Good.
Crown retentive but facing may dislodge.
| Long.
Two step process:
- Crown cementation
- Composite placement | Severely decayed teeth.
Good durability and retention needed (bruxism, trauma prone child).
Parent concerned about aesthetics. |
Pre-veneered stainless steel crowns.
(Posterior and anterior teeth) | Good.
Limited shades. | Good.
Crown retentive but facings may break. | Moderate.
Longer than SSC due to more tooth reduction and adaptation. | Severely decayed teeth.
Good durability and retention needed.
Child is trauma prone or bruxes.
Parent concerned about aesthetics.
More expensive than other restorations. |
Resin (composite) strip crowns.
(Anterior teeth) | Very good | Requires adequate tooth structure for retention.
Easily fractured with trauma or traumatic occlusion. | Will vary with ability to isolate teeth and control moisture.
Most technique sensitive. | Aesthetics are of great concern.
Adequate tooth structure.
Patient not prone to trauma.
Patient cooperative. |
Polycarbonate crowns.
(Posterior and anterior teeth) | Very good | Requires adequate tooth structure for retention.
Less prone to
fracture than composite strip crowns. | Not as technique sensitive as composite strip crowns. | Aesthetics are a great concern.
Adequate tooth structure.
Patient cooperative. |