title: A clinical and radiographic evaluation of stainless steel crowns for primary molars.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  This study was performed to evaluate clinically and radiographically the effect of stainless steel crowns placed on primary molars on gingival and bone structures.
  
  
  METHODS
  254 crowns were evaluated in a sample of 177 children aged 3.5-12 years old with a mean age of 7 years.
  
  
  METHODS
  The clinical parameters that were evaluated were, crown marginal extension, crown marginal adaptation, intact proximal contact, gingival index and the duration of presence of the crowns, together with the oral hygiene index of the child. Bitewing radiographs were viewed for extension and adaptation of crown margins and for evaluating the interproximal bone level.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The results of the study showed that interproximal bone resorption was not significantly affected by either crown marginal extension or adaptation, preserving tight proximal contact between molars, oral hygiene level or duration of presence of the crown. On the other hand, there was significant bone resorption when the crown was judged radiographically as non-satisfactory. While oral hygiene level had a significant effect on the gingival index, presence or absence of proper proximal contact did not have an effect on the gingival index.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  It was concluded from this study that stainless steel crowns are still a valuable procedure that has no harmful effect on the gingiva and bone provided that good oral hygiene level was maintained.
authors.affiliation: Faculty of Dentistry, Pediatric Dentistry Department, King AbdulAziz University, P.O. Box 80209, Jeddah, Saudi Arabia.
authors.forename: Aly A
authors.initials: AA
authors.lastname: Sharaf
authors.forename: Najat M
authors.initials: NM
authors.lastname: Farsi
mesh_terms: D016301:Alveolar Bone Loss / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000209:etiology; D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D003442:Crowns / Q000009:adverse effects*; D018772:Dental Marginal Adaptation; D005891:Gingivitis / Q000209:etiology; D006801:Humans; D008963:Molar; D009911:Oral Hygiene Index; D010512:Periodontal Index; D011859:Radiography; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D013193:Stainless Steel; D014094:Tooth, Deciduous
chemical_list: D013193:Stainless Steel