The Clinical and Radiographic Success of Bonded Resin Composite Strip Crowns for Primary Incisors

Resident: Adam J. Bottrill
Date: 03NOV10
Region: Providence
Article title: The Clinical and Radiographic Success of Bonded Resin Composite Strip Crowns for Primary Incisors
Author(s): Kupietzky, Ari DMD, MSc et al.
Journal: Pediatric Dentistry
Page #s: 577-581
Date: 2003 25:6
Major topic: Strip Crowns
Minor topic(s): NA
Type of Article: Retrospective Clinical Study
Main Purpose: The purpose of this study was to examine the clinical and radiographic success of the treatment of maxillary anterior primary incisors with composite resin strip crowns placed in a private practice setting.

Key points in the article discussion:

I. General:

A. Strip crowns (SC) have been used for over 2 decades and are the most esthetically pleasing form of full coverage anterior restorations.
B. SC's are also VERY "technique sensitive" (...which is the PC way of saying "it's easy to screw it up").
C. One recent study showed a "failure rate" of 51%

II. Methods:

A. 112 restorations placed in 40 children.
B. Evaluated after in place an average of 18mo.
C. 2 independent examiners.

III. Results:

A. NO restorations were lost and only 12% were rated as having lost some resin (88% overall retention rate!)
B. No difference if the crowns were placed 4 at a time vs fewer in a single sitting.
C. Pulpectomized teeth had more color matching discrepancies than non pulpectomized teeth.
D. 91% of the teeth demonstrated healthy pulps.
E. 8% demonstrated some pulpal changes but did not require immediate action.
F. Only one tooth demonstrated signs of pulpal necrosis.

IV. Conclustions:

A. SC's for restoring primary incisors with large or multisurface caries performed well.
B. Color match significantly reduced in pulp-treated teeth.
C. Bottom line?.... Kupietzky likey SC's

Assessment of article: As much as I tried to hate it... I actually like this article. I know I sometimes default to Nu-Smiles when really strip crowns would be a much better option. This is good info. Me Likey.