Multi-surface composite vs stainless steel crown restorations after mineral trioxide aggregate pulpotomy: a randomized controlled trial.

PURPOSE

Parents increasingly request esthetic restorations for their children's teeth. This split mouth, randomized controlled trial compared primary molars treated with white MTA pulpotomies and restored with either multi-surface composites (MSC) or stainless steel crowns (SSC).

METHODS

Forty matched, contra-lateral pairs of molars received MTA pulpotomies and were randomly assigned to MSC or SSC restorations and evaluated clinically and radiographically at 6 and 12 months. Two calibrated, blinded examiners evaluated and scored radiographs.

RESULTS

Thirty-seven matched pairs were evaluated at 6 months, and 31 were available at 12 months. All teeth in both groups were radiographically and clinically successful at 6 and 12 months. Dentin bridge formation was noted in 20% of the primary molars by 12 months. Although not significant, the composite group exhibited fewer intact clinical margins than the SSC group. The vast majority (94%) of teeth restored with composite displayed gray discoloration at follow-up exams, which did not appear to affect the quality of the restoration and is believed to be associated with the white MTA.

CONCLUSIONS

The white MTA pulpotomies succeeded over 12 months regardless of the restoration; however, the teeth restored with composite were not as durable nor considered an esthetic alternative to the SSC.