Zirconia Crowns versus Pre-veneered Stainless Steel Crowns in Primary Anterior Teeth A Retrospective Study of Clinical Performance and Parental Satisfaction

Purpose: This study aimed at evaluating the clinical performance and parental satisfaction
with zirconia crowns versus the pre-veneered stainless-steel crowns (SSCs) in primary anterior
maxillary teeth in a group of Egyptian children under general anesthesia.
Methods: A retrospective analysis of forty maxillary anterior pediatric zirconia crowns versus
forty pre-veneered SSCs was performed. Crowns were examined for retention, gingival health,
color match, contour and opposing tooth wear. Parental satisfaction with either type of crowns was
evaluated by questionnaire.
Results: Seventy-seven crowns were evaluated in 32 children with 3 teeth lost to exfoliation.
Crowns were examined 4-12 months after placement. Zirconia crowns showed a 100% retentiveness,
color match, absence of gingival irritation, 94.7% cosmetic appearance with 100% overall parental
satisfaction rated as very satisfied. On the other hand, although pre-veneered SSCs showed
94.9% retentiveness, 12.8% (n=5) showed mild inflammation on the gingival index together with
slight shade mismatch, along with 23.1% (n=9) non-ideal crowns with a reduced overall parental
satisfaction rated as 71.8% very satisfied.
Conclusions: Pediatric zirconia crowns offer a better esthetic and highly acceptable, albeit
more expensive, restorative option for primary maxillary anterior teeth.