Endurance at a Cost: The Full Coverage Dilemma in Primary Teeth addresses a multidimensional challenge that pediatric dentists face daily: selecting full coverage restorations that not only endure functionally but also align with biological, procedural, financial, and aesthetic demands unique to children and their caregivers.

While full coverage restorations—such as stainless steel and zirconia crowns—remain central to managing extensive decay in primary molars, each option brings distinct trade-offs. These include the aggressive tooth preparation, procedure duration for crown selection, variability in patient cooperation, cost-effectiveness across different socioeconomic settings, and aesthetic acceptability from both child and parent perspectives.

This lecture integrates current clinical evidence, material comparisons, and practical case reflections to evaluate how these factors shape our decision-making. Attendees will leave with a sharpened perspective on how to individualize treatment plans, striking a balance between durability, efficiency, biological compatibility, and family-centered care.

Objective:

Comparison between different full coverage restorations for primary teeth.