Success of SSC

Article title: The durability of primary molar restorations: II. Observations and predictions of success of stainless steel crowns
Author(s): Messer L, Levering N
Journal: Pediatric Dentistry
Volume (number): 10:2
Month, Year: June 1988
Major topic: primary molar stainless steel crowns
Minor topic(s:
Type of Article: Retrospective study
Main Purpose: To determine the durability and lifespan of primary molar stainless steel crowns
Overview of method of research: 331 stainless steel crowns in primary molars placed by dental students were selected. Crown failures were defined as having shown in the record a history of replacement, or any other form of retreatment (ex pulpotomy), or extraction. Success of crowns were defined as no evidence of need for replacement, retreatment, or extraction. 12 SSCs were placed in children <4 160 in children 4-7 and 159 in children >7. 84 SSCs were studied until exfoliation, and 207 were followed to the end of the study.
Findings: Of the 331 SSCs 12%(40) were true failures and 88%(291) were successful. With increasing age of the child at first placement of the SSC there was a fourfold decrease in true failures and a corresponding increase. Of 73 pulpotomies 19 failed and 54 were successful. The odds of a failed crown to be associated with a pulpotomy was high. The mean life span of the 40 failed crowns was 24.5 months. When comparing SSC’s to previously published results for amalgams, for Class I amalgams in children <4 SSC’s show a slightly higher failure rate for 1-6 years of service, a similar rate for 7-8 years of service, and a slightly lower rate for 9-10 years of service. For the older age groups SSCs show a similar failure rate for 1-3 years of service and after that SSCs show an increasingly higher failure rate. For Class II amalgams SSCs placed in younger children had a failure rate of almost half that of amalgams for each year up to 10 years.
Key points/Summary: Success of SSCs increase with increasing age of the child at initial placement. There is a greater risk of failure in SSCs with formocresol pulpotomies. Crowns placed in children under 4 have a success rate of about 2x that of class II amalgams for each year up to 10 years of service.
Assessment of article: Good article but interesting that they used charts from dental students.