PREFORMED METAL CROWNS AS A PROSTHETIC RESTORATIONS IN PEDIATRIC DENTISTRY

Abstract

The preformed metal crowns (PMCs) are prefabricated constructions, used for restoring a severely broken teeth, affected by multisurfice carious lesions. The aim of the current study is to analyze and criticize the contemporary scientific conclusions related to indications, the usage methods, the advantages and disadvantages of the PMCs, used in the treatment protocol in pediatric dentistry. The subject of the analysis is 64 english language papers, published in the period from 1966 to 2017 y. The analysis shows that disadvantages of these restorations are related to the esthetics and previous preparation of the hard tooth tissues. The numerous advantages are related to the mechanical durability; the successful tightness concerning the non-operative sealing of caries and the prophylactic effect related to secondary caries lesion as well as the orthodontic jaw malformations, justify the usage of the PMCs in pediatric dentistry and also explain the need of scientific, clinical research in this domain.