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By Joel H. Berg, DDS, MS and Zheng Xu, DDS, MDS, PhD On Sep 8, 2016
Selecting the right material for the right situation will help ensure optimal function, long-
term performance and esthetics
The practice of dentistry for children requires extensive knowledge and understanding
of restorative materials and techniques. Restorative procedures should be the last
approach in managing caries; unfortunately, is often the rst step. The progressive
philosophy in today’s caries management continuum (Figure 1) is managing bio lm and
demineralization, and taking a proactive therapeutic approach in the early stages of
caries lesion development. The later stages include minimally invasive restoration,
followed by traditional operative dentistry. This paper will discuss various aspects of
restorative dentistry for children, and some common techniques in caring for primary
teeth.
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ISOLATION TECHNIQUES
Prior to restorative dentistry for children, proper isolation is essential. The surgical
environment should be isolated from potential contaminants. This will also protect the
patient from swallowing or inhaling materials, water or other contaminants during the
procedure. Additionally, all restorative materials have some technique sensitivity, and
contamination with moisture, water, saliva or other debris could affect retention and, thus,
long-term outcomes. This is particularly true for composites resins, but also applies to the
more moisture-tolerant glass ionomer materials.
A rubber dam is the preferred isolation technique. It provides excellent isolation and
visualization during the procedure, and it also serves as a behavior management tool. It is
worth taking the time to train the team to place dental dams. A properly trained staff will
enjoy the opportunity to place dams and be part of the team delivering care in the best
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possible manner.
Although a dam is recommend for each pediatric restorative procedure, there may be
circumstances, such as partially erupted teeth, in which the patient cannot tolerate a dam. In
situations in which it is believed that contamination will not be a factor (permanent anterior
teeth, for example), alternative isolation techniques can be used — including devices that
provide light, suction and physical isolation from contaminants. These devices are also useful
for shorter procedures, such as sealant placement.
GLASS IONOMER
Glass ionomer is a salt created by a chemical reaction between a polyalkenoic acid and an
aluminum-containing glass powder. The glass powder includes uoride so the latter can be
released — and recharged — after restoration with glass ionomer. This is the only material
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used in restorative dentistry that chemically bonds to tooth structure. Because the glass
ionomer bonds to calcium ions in dentin and enamel, it bonds independently of the
morphology
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Additionally, glass ionomer contains water. Combined with its chemical bonding to tooth
structure, this makes it biocompatible and somewhat moisture tolerant. Glass ionomer
cannot be placed in a “fully wet” environment in which there is excess water or saliva. In
situations in which there is humidity, but not a visible “thickness of uid,” glass ionomer is
useful and can easily be bonded to the tooth substrate. By comparison, resin sealants, as well
as resin composites, are not as moisture tolerant.
Because glass ionomer restorations release uoride, they can be bene cial in preventing
recurrent decay around the margins of restorations. They can also prevent adjacent
structures from demineralizing when subject to acidic attack.
Clinicians commonly encounter situations in which the proximal surface of a primary tooth
shows a small caries lesion, but there is also decay on the approximal surface that is not
detected radiographically. In these cases, it is logical to assume that whatever forces allow
the caries lesion to form where it is radiographically visualized also act on the adjacent
approximal surface, causing demineralization not yet perceptible via bitewing radiography.
Placing glass ionomer in the lesion obviously requiring restoration will also provide the
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possibility of remineralization of the adjacent surface.
It is reasonable to suggest that using glass ionomer as a healing material for adjacent
structures will become more prevalent as newer technologies emerge that allow
visualization of lesions at a very early stage. The ability of glass ionomer to remineralize
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adjacent lesions is an advantage that no other material possesses.
COMPOSITE RESTORATIONS
Composite materials are commonly used for pediatric restorations. In a scenario in which a
cooperative child, ideal isolation, and adequate time for the procedure all exist, a resin
composite should be used. Composite is the strongest material within the armamentarium
of intracoronal direct restoratives, and is also the most esthetic. In addition, new devices are
available that facilitate composite placement; these includes systems for restoring primary
molars that provide simultaneous wedging and banding during placement in interproximal
situations (Figures 2A through 2C).
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Key Takeaways
The continuum of caries management philosophy (Figure 1) dictates that clinicians
manage bio lm and demineralization, and implement other steps to arrest caries
lesions during the early stages of their development.
Lesions that are addressed in the later stages should be treated with minimally invasive
restoration, followed by traditional operative or restorative dentistry.
Early caries lesions may be detected clinically or radiographically, or by newer caries
detection tools — but only clinicians can synthesize all the information and decide to
go forward with a restorative procedure.
Proper isolation (e.g., the use of rubber dams) is essential prior to restorative pediatric
dentistry.
Achieving the best combination of function, esthetics and performance hinges on
choosing the right material for the right situation.
Conversely, SSCs might be contraindicated when the decay rate is low or only one tooth is
effected, or in cooperative children whose lesions can be restored with intracoronal
restorations.
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Multiple steps are involved in placing SSCs. After a local anesthetic is delivered,
Privacy & Cookies Policya dental dam
is placed. Following isolation, the tooth’s occlusal surface is reduced to the extent necessary
(generally, 1.0 to 1.50 mm) to create space for the crown and cement. This reduction should
follow the original contour of the occlusal surface (Figure 3). In creating interproximal
separation, clinicians must take crown thickness into account. This generally requires
reductions of 1 mm or more so an explorer can pass through the proximal space (Figure 4).
When SSCs are placed adjacent to primary molars, the reduction for each crown must be
made as if they were placed independently.
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Finally, buccal and lingual bevels are placed, extending from the&occlusal
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Policy onto the
respective buccal and lingual surfaces. These long bevels, generally at a 45-degree angle, will
allow reduction of the buccal and lingual surfaces without removing the important buccal
and lingual bulges present in primary molars. These bulges are essential for the retention of
the crown as its “snaps” over these surfaces during placement. After smoothing the
preparation, a crown is selected based on the mesio-distal size of the tooth. Once the crown
is tted, contoured and crimped, it can be cemented, generally with glass ionomer cement
(Figure 5).
Both Class V and Class III restorations can be placed on primary anterior teeth. While Class V
restorations are relatively easy to place and usually provide good retention, Class III
restorations in primary anterior teeth are among the most technique-sensitive procedures a
pediatric dentist performs. A conservative preparation may be indicated due to small crown
size and close proximity of the pulp horns to the interproximal surfaces. Clinicians must also
take into account that slot preparations could result in less than ideal retention because of
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the small area for etching and bonding, Studies comparing Class III slot preparations with
dovetail preparations have demonstrated no clinically signi cant differences between two
11,12
designs. Besides preparation, the material placement can be also challenging in terms of
isolation, and moisture and hemorrhage control.
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According to guidelines from the American Academy of Pediatric Dentistry, full coverage
coronal restorations are indicated when:
Occlusion and the extent of the lesion should likewise be considered when placing CSCs.
Leaving adequate tooth structure during preparation will ensure suf cient surface area for
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bonding. Low retention rates have been seen in teeth with decay in three or more surfaces.
In addition, due to high probability of resin fracture, CSCs should be avoided in patients with
anterior crossbites or severe bruxism.
ZIRCONIA CROWNS
Recently, prefabricated zirconia crowns have become available in various sizes to t every
primary tooth. Some brands also offer a narrower version of canines and rst primary molars
for patients with space loss or crowding. These monolithic crowns are made of solid zirconia,
28,29
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additional tooth reduction (leading to possible pulpal Privacy & Cookies Policy
exposure) while still leaving enough tooth structure for
retention. Other considerations include cost and the learning
curve in placing zirconia. Currently, there is little information
on their long-term clinical performance. Yet these crowns
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show high parental satisfaction and are likely to become
30–32
more popular. The single prospective study available has
a six-month follow-up period. In this short trial, zirconia
crowns demonstrated a 100% success rate, while 22% of CSCs
experienced either fracture or complete loss, and 5% of the
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PVSSCs lost a portion of the veneer. In evaluations of
gingival health, zirconia crowns showed improved health,
while the other crowns showed increased gingival
29 FIGURES 6A THROUGH 6C.
in ammation. This may possibly be attributed to the highly
32 Here are three examples of
polished surfaces and biocompatibility of zirconia crowns. esthetic restorations for
primary anterior dentition:
Opposing tooth wear was noted in four out of 38 zirconia composite strip crowns (A),
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crowns studied. preveneered stainless steel
crowns (B), and zirconia crowns
(C).
FUTURE DIRECTIONS
While many options exist for esthetic restorations in primary anterior teeth (Figures 6A
through 6C), to date, very little controlled clinical data are available to suggest that one type
is superior to the others. Clinical decisions regarding the choice of restoration and the
ultimate outcome are dictated by the extent of decay, moisture and hemorrhage control,
and the child’s level of cooperation, as well as caries risk, parental desires, and the clinician’s
32,33
experience and preferences.
Many new materials and techniques are available to dentists who treat children. Ultimately,
clinicians can ensure the optimal combination of function, long-term performance and
esthetics by selecting the right material for the right situation. Doing so will help set
pediatric patients on a lifetime course of improved oral and systemic health.
References
1. Dhar V, Hsu KL, Coll JA, et al. Evidence-based update of pediatric dental restorative
procedures: Dental materials. J Clin Pediatr Dent. 2015;39:303–310.
2. Uribe S. Which lling material is best in the primary dentition? Evid Based Dent.
2010;11:4–5.
3. Rodrigues E, Delbem AC, Pedrini D, Cavassan L. Enamel remineralization by uoride-
releasing materials: proposal of a pH-cycling model. Braz Dent J. 2010;21:446–451.
4. Donly KJ, Henson T. Glass ionomer cement restorations for contemporary pediatric
dentistry. Alpha Omegan. 2005;98(4):21–25.
5. Aykut-Yetkiner A, Simşek D, Eronat C, Ciftçioğlu M. Comparison of the remineralisation
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effect of a glass ionomer cement versus a resin composite on dentin of primary teeth.
can2014;15:119–121.
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