Restorative management of dental enamel defects in the primary dentition

Management of primary teeth with enamel defects in the young child can be challenging. Many restorative techniques for the management of such teeth are available; however, factors such as patient’s medical history, compliance, needs, pain experience, and expectations should be considered. Furthermore, management of such teeth might require short and long management treatment plans depending on the extent and severity of such defects.


Overview
It is prudent to highlight that caries prevention is essential in the management of all patients especially those with developmental defects of enamel. Following are different treatment options for restorative management of dental enamel defects in the primary dentition:

Procedure
There are two main types of enamel defects: Hypoplastic: caused by incomplete or defective formation of the organic enamel matrix by ameloblasts during tooth formation (secretory stage) resulting in thinner but normally mineralized enamel.
Hypomineralized enamel: occurs due to a failure in enamel matrix mineralization. The decision to provide restorative management of enamel defects in primary teeth depends on several factors: • Types of enamel defect. • Extent and severity of the defects, • Associated symptoms, • Esthetics with possible psychological effects on the child, • Patient cooperation and the method of treatment. Fig. 1 a, b Example of the use of a glass ionomer cement used for interim protection on hypomineralised second primary molars (Courtesy of Nicky Kilpatrick)

Interim restorations
An interim therapeutic restoration immediately alleviates pain and sensitivity. The provision of these interim restorations also allows the clinician to establish rapport with the child and assist in behavior management.
Materials such as resin-modified glass ionomer can be useful as these materials incorporate appropriate bonding for both enamel and any exposed dentin (Fig. 1). Glass ionomer could also be used for interim restoration.

Composite resin restorations
Composite restorations are indicated in cases where: • Defect is demarcated to a defined area, not more than two surfaces • Cusp tips are not involved • No significant sensitivity • Supragingival margins of the defect.
Composite resin restorations require good isolation, preferably using rubber dam. Pretreatment with 5% sodium hypochlorite could improve composite retention through deproteination of hypomineralised enamel. Removal of excess enamel protein could make the enamel crystals more accessible to the etching solution, therefore, improving retention.

Preformed metal crowns
The use of preformed metal crowns (stainless steel crowns) is a well-recognized option for the treatment of carious primary molars, and has an important role in the management of DDE-affected primary molars.
Following are the indications of preformed crowns: • The defect involves multiple surfaces • There is significant sensitivity • Margins of defects are subgingival • There is involvement of the cusp tips in posterior teeth • Enamel is prone to "chipping," especially in some cases of AI • Treatment has to be carried out under general anesthesia and the child is unlikely to manage restorative care in the immediate future.
A technique, known as the "Hall Technique", has been described mainly for the uncooperative child in which stainless steel crowns are placed with no preparation (Fig. 2). This technique is very useful in the management of primary teeth with DDE.

Long term restorations of anterior teeth
Anterior teeth can be appropriately restored by composite restorations including the use of strip crowns when multiple surfaces are involved (Fig. 3).
The steps for placing strip crowns involve: • Removal of approximately 1-2 mm of enamel from all the surfaces of the crown. • The enamel is etched and prepared for bonding according to the manufacturer's instructions and the crown is filled with composite, placed on the tooth, with excess removed from the margins and the composite cured. • Once the strip crown has been removed, the restoration is finished in the usual manner. The use of full coverage white crowns, such as zirconia crowns, for restoration of anterior teeth is mainly indicated when more extensive tooth surface loss is evident with subgingival finish lines. The use of this technique is growing among clinicians although more extensive tooth surface preparation is needed with risk of pulp exposure as such crowns offer better esthetic results and full tooth coverage (Fig. 3).

Extraction of primary teeth with DDE
Severely affected teeth with extensive tooth surface loss may require extraction. This should be done with evaluation of the space requirements in the developing dentition.
Preventive and restorative approaches should be preferred over extraction where possible.

Pitfalls and complications
• Interim restorations are not a definitive restorative treatment. • Hypomineralised enamel can potentially reduce the strength and integrity of composite resin bond to enamel. • Pre-veneered and white crowns require more extensive crown preparation than preformed metal crowns. • Higher cost of treatment in more generalized cases. • Chipping can occur in the pre-veneered metal crowns.
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