Stainless Steel Crowns
Pre-formed metal crowns used to restore severely decayed primary teeth.
Stainless steel crowns (SSCs) have been a mainstay of pediatric dentistry since the 1950s. They are pre-manufactured in various sizes and crimped to fit over the prepared tooth. The procedure typically requires one appointment: the tooth is numbed, decay is removed, the tooth is shaped, and the crown is cemented in place. SSCs have a success rate exceeding 95% and are the most studied restoration for primary teeth. The Hall technique, a minimally invasive approach, involves placing the crown over the decayed tooth without drilling or local anesthesia, using the crown to seal the decay. This technique is especially useful for anxious children and has shown comparable long-term success.