PREFABRICATED CROWNS PRODUCED BY 3D PRINTING IN THE TREATMENT OF EARLY CHILDHOOD CARIES: A CASE REPORT

Aim: Early childhood caries (ECC) frequently necessitate restorative treatment, particularly in the anterior primary teeth. In the management of severely decayed primary incisors, various types of crowns are employed to ensure sufficient durability and retention. Recently, crowns fabricated using three-dimensional (3D) printing have gained attention due to their customizable design, ease of application, and adequate mechanical properties.

Case Presentation: A systemically healthy 5-year-old male patient presented to our clinic with extensive carious lesions in teeth numbered 51, 52, 61, and 62. Clinical examination revealed early childhood caries in the maxillary primary incisors. It was planned to restore these teeth using crowns fabricated with a 3D printer. Following root canal treatment and composite build-up, the teeth were prepared. After achieving hemostasis, prefabricated crowns designed and produced using a 3D printer were cemented. At the 6-month follow-up appointment, the treated teeth were found to be asymptomatic, and intraoral examination showed that the 3D-printed crowns continued to exhibit good adaptation to both soft and hard tissues.

Result: This case demonstrates that prefabricated crowns designed and manufactured with 3D printing technology can provide successful outcomes in terms of retention, durability, and aesthetics in the treatment of ECC affecting primary incisors. Their ability to be customized in terms of fit, size, and shade makes 3D-printed crowns a promising alternative to conventional crown options.

Keywords: Prefabricated Crown, 3D Printer, ECC