Revisiting the use of stainless steel crowns for treatment of molar-incisor hypomineralization: a case series

The restoration of teeth affected by molar-incisor hypomineralization (MIH) is challenging. To this end, preformed stainless steel crowns (SSCs) are a good option; however, their conventional use involves the removal of tooth structure. In the Hall technique, the SSC is seated over the primary teeth without caries removal or tooth preparation, aiming to seal carious lesions. This case series reports the use of SSCs in a similar way to the Hall technique for 3 pediatric patients with MIH. The high-caries-risk patient in case 1 lost hypomineralized enamel and developed a carious lesion immediately after eruption of a permanent first molar. The patient in case 2 complained of hypersensitivity associated with MIH of a first molar that had previously been restored. The patient in case 3 experienced atypical restoration failures in MIH-affected first molars. In all 3 cases, the use of SSCs without tooth preparation was an effective restorative treatment. Although this conservative treatment is a temporary solution, it provides good longevity and preserves tooth structure until the patient reaches physical and emotional/behavioral maturity for a definitive restoration.