Stainless steel crowns — Hall technique
The Hall technique involves placing a stainless steel crown on to a baby tooth to treat decay. This helps to stop the decay progressing further. The crown also protects the entire tooth from further decay on other surfaces. Both the crown and the baby tooth fall out naturally — usually around 10 to 12 years old.
Advantages of the Hall technique
The advantages of the Hall technique include:
- no injection is needed for numbing
- no drilling is required
- the crown is likely to last longer than a filling
- it usually only takes a few minutes to size and fit.
How the crown is put on
Blue 'spacers' are usually placed a few days before the crown on either side of the tooth. This makes space to fit the crown.
During the second visit, we find the correct-sized crown and place dental cement inside it. Your child will help by biting down on a cotton roll to position the crown over their tooth — this may be a little uncomfortable.
After the crown is placed
Your child might find their tooth feels slightly high and unusual when biting. Their gums might also feel a bit tender. These feelings will go away after a few hours.
The number on the side of the crown will fade away.
How to look after a crown
It is important that your child continues to brush their teeth twice a day with a fluoride toothpaste.
Attend regular dental check ups to check the crown's health.