Restoration of the Extensively Damaged Primary Anterior Teeth: A Case Report

Dental caries is the most common chronic childhood disease. Among them, the severe early childhood caries (S-ECC) can be defined as the presence of any sign of smooth-surface caries in children younger than 3 years old. In S-ECC, there is early carious involvement and gross destruction of the maxillary anterior teeth. It leads to difficulty in speech, ineffective mastication, and psychological problems due to compromised esthetics. Restoration of a severely decayed primary incisor is often a difficult procedure that presents a high challenge to pediatric dentists.

A 2-year-old girl was referred from a local dental clinic for S-ECC treatment. Severe dental caries was found in #51, 52, 61, 62. After endodontic treatment with calcium hydroxide and iodoform paste, crowns were restored with a ready-made product, Nu smile^r Zrconia (Nu smile LTD, US). After first restoration with zirconia crown, patient was submitted to regular recall-check for 3 years. By restoration of the S-ECC, patient acquired improved in speech, effective mastication, and esthetics in oral cavity. The case report demonstrated good retention and esthetical results for the period. The process requires sophisticated technical skills from the clinician, but benefited the child immensely.