"Clinical and Laboratory Evaluation of Hybrid ceramic Endocrowns Versus Stainless Steel Crowns in Primary Molars"

Abstract

In this part of the study, a single-blind randomized controlled clinical trial, parallel arm design was conducted on 20 patients who had 20 carious primary second molars indicated for pulpotomy. The patients were selected from the outpatient clinic of Pediatric Dentistry department, Faculty of Dentistry, Ain Shams University. Their age ranged from 4 to 6 years old. All patients who fulfilled the eligibility criteria were randomly assigned into 2 groups; Stainless Steel (SSC) group and Endocrowns group (EC). Pulpotomy procedure was performed for both groups. Afterwards, SSC were cemented to the SSC group. As for the EC group, lower primary molars were prepared with a butt joint, and flaring of the pulp chamber. Endocrowns were cemented using self-adhesive dual cure resin cement. All teeth received clinical evaluations using FDI criteria at 3, 6, and 12 months and parental satisfaction postoperatively by another investigators. Wear analysis of the antagonist tooth was done after 12 months. Both treatment modalities showed clinical success, acceptable wear to the antagonist, and children/parents were satisfied.

In vitro part was designed to evaluate the fracture resistance of hybrid ceramic endocrowns compared to SSCs crowns in pulpotomized primary molars. Fourteen extracted human mandibular second primary molars, with at least one third of their roots remaining, and at least three of their axial walls intact, without visible fracture lines or cracks were selected. The teeth specimens were cleaned and disinfected then stored in distilled water until required. The selected teeth were mounted in acrylic molds by a mounting surveyor. Then divided into two groups randomly, according to the type of restoration (SSC group and EC endocrowns group). Pulpotomy procedure was done for the specimens followed by obturation with zinc oxide eugenol, a layer of GIC was placed to seal the orifice and block undercuts for endocrown group while complete filling with GIC for SSC group.