Evaluation of clinical success of composite crowns and zirconia crowns applied to upper primary incisors

Restoration of decayed or traumatized primary anterior teeth is more difficult due to the fact that primary anterior teeth are smaller than other teeth, the mechanical expose risk of pulp tissue is higher, they have relatively thin enamel, and the relatively high treatment cost due to the aesthetic characteristics of the restorations. On the other hand, protecting the primary teeth until the eruption of the permanent teeth is very important in terms of occlusion and eruption guidance. The only alternative is the prosthetic approach following the extraction of the affected teeth. Celluloid strip crowns and prefabricated zirconia crowns, which are among the approaches recommended for this purpose by the American Academy of Pediatric Dentistry, are widely used in dentistry. A total of 25 individuals, male or female, aged 3-5 years, were included in this study. After clinical and radiological examinations, composite strip crowns or zirconia crowns were applied. Patients were called for clinical and radiographic controls at 1, 6, 12, and 18 months following the completion of the treatments. Plaque index, gingival health, level of gingival margin, crown retention and success, color match, discoloration, clinical pulpal health (spontaneous pain, presence of fistula, mobility, percussion/palpation), and radiographically pulpal health (periradicular/interradicular radiolucency, loss of lamina dura), internal/external root resorption, pulp canal obliteration) were evaluated and photographic records were taken. Radiographic control was also performed at 6 and 12 months. The data regarding the clinical and radiographic evaluations of the groups were statistically evaluated using Fisher's exact probability test, Cochran Q test, Friedman's two-way anova test, Kruskal-Wallis test and marginal homogeneity test. Zircon crowns were found to be more successful in terms of retention, color match, restoration success and gingival health. They also showed lower plaque index and gingival index values.