Outcomes of preformed metal crowns placed with the conventional and Hall techniques: A systematic review and meta-analysis.

BACKGROUND: Preformed metal crowns (PMCs) have been used to restore carious primary molars and have a high success and survival rate. There are two methods currently employed for PMC placement - the conventional technique (CT) and Hall technique (HT). AIM: This systematic review aims to compare the outcomes of PMCs placed using the CT and HT. DESIGN: This systematic review was conducted according to the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Review and Meta-analysis statement. A literature search of five databases was performed up to 23 August 2022. Clinical studies comparing carious primary molars restored with PMCs using either technique with a minimum 12-month follow-up were included. Risk of bias (RoB) assessment was performed using the National Institutes of Health Quality Assessment tool. RESULTS: Five articles met the inclusion criteria, and four were included for meta-analysis. The 12- and 24-month success and survival rates were above 85% for both groups, with no significant differences shown at 12 and 24 months. The HT requires a shorter treatment duration, is more cost-effective and has a high level of acceptability among parents when compared to the CT. Four articles were rated fair, and one article was rated good in the RoB assessment. CONCLUSION: Greater consideration may be given towards using the HT as part of standard treatment procedures in managing carious primary molars. Future studies should standardise reporting of outcomes to facilitate a more homogeneous pool of data for future meta-analysis.

At what age do children have the motor development to adequately brush their teeth?

BACKGROUND: There is no consensus regarding when children are ready to brush independently. AIM: To examine the effects of chronological age and motor development on toothbrushing effectiveness in 5- to 7-year-old children. DESIGN: In this cross-sectional study, the change in Oral Hygiene Index (OHI) score and the improvement in OHI category (eg, poor to fair) were used to measure toothbrushing effectiveness. Motor development was assessed using the Beery-Buktenica Developmental Test of Visual Motor Integration, and a parental questionnaire was used to determine the child's ability to perform certain daily tasks. RESULTS: Children aged ≥6 years were significantly more likely to show improvement in OHI category (OR = 2.4, p = .032) than 5-year-old children. Parental report of their child's ability to write/print addresses (OR = 3.7, p = .009), tie shoelaces (OR = 2.9, p = .008), and cut/file nails (OR = 3.2, p = .036) was significantly more likely to show improvement in OHI category. A model using chronological age, visual motor age, ability to write/print addresses, tie shoelaces, cut/file nails, and toothbrushing duration achieved 61.8% sensitivity and 80.4% specificity in predicting a child's ability to achieve improvement in OHI category. CONCLUSIONS: Children entering elementary school (≥6 years old) brushed their teeth more effectively than preschool children. A multifactorial model provided an acceptable predictor of the child's ability to brush effectively.