Comparison of Clinical Success of Stainless Steel Crowns and Zirconia Crowns in Primary Molars

Evaluation and understanding of clinical success, parental satisfaction and effects on periodontal tissues are the main expected benefits of prefabricated zirconia crowns and prefabricated stainless steel crowns. For a long time, stainless steel crowns have been the restorative material of choice for children's primary and permanent posterior teeth. Today, prefabricated zirconia crowns are more popular than other options because they meet aesthetic expectations and have high mechanical strength. The aim of this study is to evaluate and compare the periodontal health, plaque accumulation, opposing tooth wear, parental satisfaction, color matching, retention and edge integrity of pediatric prefabricated stainless steel and zirconia crowns applied after pulpotomy to asymptomatic, multifaceted, deep carious primary mandibular second molars.

MATERIALS AND METHODS/RESEARCH TECHNIQUES:

Material:

In the study, two different prefabricated crowns will be applied to the right and left primary mandibular second molars after pulpotomy using a split-mouth design. One will be a prefabricated zirconia crown and the other will be a prefabricated stainless steel crown. The sample size was calculated by G\*Power analysis program as 12 teeth, 6 teeth in each group. Since this sample size would reduce the validity and reliability of future statistical tests, it was decided to conduct the study with a total of 20 samples, 10 in each group, taking into account possible data loss and the power of the study. Teeth will be randomly divided into two groups according to crown type.

The study will be terminated when the last visit of the last patient providing the sample is completed and the data is finalized.

Method:

* Before the treatment of primary mandibular second molars that meet the inclusion criteria, topical anesthesia (Vemcaine Pump Spray, VEM İlaç, Turkey) containing 10% lidocaine will be applied to the anesthesia area with a cotton pellet. After topical anesthesia, local anesthesia (Maxicaine Ampoule, VEM İlaç, Turkey) containing 40 mg articaine hydrochloride and 0.006 mg epinephrine hydrochloride in 1 ml will be administered.
* Then, the area will be cleaned under rubber dam isolation, and the coronal pulp will be removed. Hemostasis will be provided with a sterile cotton pellet moistened with serum for 5 minutes, and hemostasis will be achieved with ferric sulfate (ViscoStat™, Ultradent, Germany) for 15 seconds.
* The pulp chamber will be filled with MTA (NeoMTA Putty, NuSmile, TX, USA), then a 0.5 mm layer of resin-modified glass ionomer will be applied to the cavity floor, and the restoration will be completed with composite.
* The first step in applying stainless steel crowns will be to select the crown length. First, high-speed rotary tools will be used to prepare 1.5-2 mm occlusal reduction with diamond burs; a 1-2 mm subgingival preparation will be made from the gingival margin. The proximal surfaces will be reduced approximately 1 mm thick, starting from the occlusal and buccally, lingually, and gingivally from the mesial and distal contact points of the tooth.
* In order to achieve full adaptation to the tooth, after any necessary corrections, the crown edge will be curved with the help of forceps, and the edge will be trimmed with scissors or a bur until cervical adaptation is achieved. The shortened crown edges will be polished with the help of discs and rubbers.
* The teeth to be coated with zirconium will be prepared subgingivally from 2 mm occlusal and 1-2 mm from the gingival margin in accordance with the manufacturer's instructions.
* Since zirconia crowns are not flexible, the mesial and distal walls will be prepared parallel to the adjacent teeth, taking into account the distance to ensure passive adaptation.
* A conical diamond bur will be used in proximal reduction to ensure passive seating of the selected crown. The appropriate size crown will be found by trial.
* After the appropriate crown is selected for zirconia crowns, a cotton pellet moistened with sterile serum is applied to the area for 5 minutes to control bleeding, and the bleeding will be stopped. If necessary, bleeding control agents or retraction cords will be used to prevent active bleeding during cementation.
* The crowns in both groups are cemented with FujiCEM Evolve (GC, Tokyo, Japan). This cement in the RMCIS group is in paste form. It is applied directly into the crown in an injectable form with its own special tip and polymerized with a light device for 10 seconds. The cement residue accumulated at the gingival margin is cleaned with a probe, and a setting time of 4-5 minutes is waited in accordance with the manufacturer's instructions. Occlusion is checked. After the cementation is completed with the appropriate application technique, the cement residue accumulated at the gingival margin is cleaned with a probe tip. If a scratch occurs on the crowns during this process, this mark is cleaned with a bur, and the surface is polished with polishing discs.

In general, in the evaluation of success:

* Teeth that have been extracted due to abscess development in control appointments.
* Dissolution of cement and decementation of the crown.
* Internal and external root resorption seen in radiographic evaluation.
* Teeth with lesions in the furcation region.
* Teeth with widening in the periodontal ligament space will be evaluated as unsuccessful.

Plaque index and gingival index in pediatric prefabricated stainless steel and zirconia crowns applied to asymptomatic primary mandibular second molars after pulpotomy will be evaluated at baseline and 1., 3., 6. and 12. months; opposing tooth wear, parental satisfaction, color matching, retention, and marginal integrity will be evaluated at 1., 3., 6. and 12. months. Intra-oral photos will be taken directly after treatment and at control appointments.

Eligibility Criteria:
Inclusion Criteria:

* Age range of children from 4 to 5 years.
* Systemically healthy.
* Children who are positive and extremely positive according to the Frankl behavior scale.
* Asymptomatic primary mandibular second molars with multi-surface deep caries requiring pulpotomy treatment.
* No history of spontaneous pain.
* Primary mandibular second molars where bleeding at the pulpotomy site can be controlled within 3 to 5 minutes.
* Having opposing teeth in occlusal contact.
* Patients without any periodontal-related attachment loss.
* Patients without abscesses or fistulas on primary second molars.
* Children who verbally and in writing agree to participate in the study and are willing to attend regular follow-up appointments will be included.

Exclusion Criteria:

* Having a systemic disease.
* Periapical infection, abscess, or mobility in primary second molars.
* Those with active periodontal disease.
* Malocclusion or missing opposing tooth.
* Primary second molars with pathological internal or external resorption.
* Physiological root resorption exceeding 1/3 of the root.
* Children with bruxism or unilateral chewing habits will not be included in the study.