NuSmile Signature Pediatric Crown - Posterior Evaluation
NuSmile Signature Posterior Pediatric Crowns offer an esthetic, anatomically correct restorative option to traditional stainless steel.
NuSmile Signature Posterior Pediatric Crowns are anatomically correct stainless steel crowns with a tooth-colored coating. According to NuSmile, these crowns are a dependable and an easy-to-use restorative option to traditional stainless steel and composite restorations.
According to the manufacturer, NuSmile crowns have proven durability, color stability, and high parent and clinician satisfaction, backed by University Studies. Eight current NuSmile Signature Posterior Pediatric Crowns customers, with 5 to 30 years of experience in dentistry, participated in this Dental Product Shopper evaluation. The dentists rated and commented on several product features, including appearance compared to stainless steel, clarity of instructions/appropriate size options, patient/ parent satisfaction, and overall satisfaction.
Appearance Compared to Stainless Steel
According to NuSmile, because many pediatric dentists and patients' parents had concerns about the social and psychological impact of the "stainless steel smile," NuSmile Signature Posterior and Anterior Pediatric Crowns were developed to offer an esthetic alternative to stainless steel crowns
When asked to rate NuSmile Signature Posterior Pediatric Crowns' appearance compared to stainless steel, 5 evaluators rated them as excellent, 2 rated them as very good, and 1 rated them as good. In addition, 7 evaluators named appearance or esthetics as their favorite product feature.
A pediatric dentist from Cedar Park, TX, said, "I've used just about every pediatric crown there is over my 25 years and NuSmile is the only one to date that combines some degree of esthetics with durability." A second evaluator with 15 years of experience in dentistry added, "NuSmile Signature Posterior Pediatric Crowns provide a relatively durable and more esthetic option for parents as compared to traditional stainless steel crowns." A third dentist said, "Esthetically, NuSmile crowns appear to hold up better than some of the other white post crowns."
Clarity of Instructions/Appropriate Size Options
NuSmile states that NuSmile Signature Posterior Pediatric Crowns are easy to place and they are designed to last long in pediatric cases.
The evaluators were asked to rate the clarity of instructions; 3 rated this feature as excellent, 2 rated them as very good, 2 rated them as good, and 1 rated them as fair. Three evaluators rated NuSmile Signature Posterior Pediatric Crowns' appropriate size options as excellent, 4 rated them as very good or good, and 1 rated them as poor.
A dentist with 25 years of experience said, "They are sized identically to stainless steel crowns and they are an esthetic alternative to stainless steel crowns." A California-based dentist added, "These crowns have quality durability."
When asked how NuSmile Signature Posterior Pediatric Crowns could be improved, several evaluators commented that the crowns could be improved by reducing the product's bulk. One evaluator suggested, "Reduce bulk, particularly occlusal thickness." He went on to rate his overall satisfaction with the product as very good. He also said the crowns are much better than similar crowns offered by other manufacturers.
Patient /Parent Satisfaction
When asked to rate NuSmile Signature Posterior Pediatric Crowns' patient/parent satisfaction, 3 evaluators rated them as excellent, 3 evaluators rated them as very good, and 2 evaluators rated them as good. A pediatric dentist with 28 years of experience in dentistry said, "Parents are very satisfied with the crowns and the gingival health is good at the margins." She went on to say she would definitely recommend and purchase the crowns in the future.
Overall Satisfaction
Six of the 8 evaluators said they would definitely recommend NuSmile Signature Posterior Pediatric Crowns to colleagues or contacts within the dental profession and 2 evaluators said they probably would. All 8 evaluators said they definitely would purchase them in the future.
Three evaluators rated overall satisfaction as excellent, 3 rated it very good, and 2 rated it good. An evaluator with 12 years of experience summarized her experience with the crowns by saying, "I simply like being able to offer an esthetic option that still has the integrity of a stainless steel crown."
Reference
Jacobsen E, et al. Use of posterior esthetic stainless steel crowns. Abstract #PTR-35, American Academy of Pediatric Dentistry-2008
