NuSmile Signature Anterior Pediatric Crowns
The tooth-colored coating on NuSmile Signature Pediatric Crowns allow clinicians to offer patients and their parents a more esthetic restorative option.
NuSmile Signature Pediatric Crowns are made of stainless steel, but they feature a natural-looking, tooth-colored coating for a more esthetic appearance. The crowns are available in 2 shades and lengths as well as a wide selection of anterior and posterior shapes and sizes. According to the manufacturer, these comprehensive options help clinicians provide patients with a more natural smile compared with traditional stainless steel crowns.
Seven dentists participated in this Dental Product Shopper evaluation of NuSmile Anterior Pediatric Crowns. They rated and commented on such features as instructions and training, ease of use and simplicity of technique, and appearance compared to stainless steel crowns.
Clarity of Instructions and Training
Training in the placement of NuSmile Anterior Pediatric Crowns includes a technical DVD that provides a step-by-step demonstration of the clinical procedure. Instruction focuses on tooth preparation, fitting, and seating of preveneered crowns for both anterior and posterior cases.
When asked to rate the clarity of instructions and training they received with the NuSmile Pediatric Crowns, 2 rated them as excellent, 4 rated them as very good, and 1 rated them as good. An evaluator from Enid, OK said, "Training was extensive and complete." This same evaluator, who said he would definitely purchase NuSmile Anterior Pediatric Crowns in the future and recommend them to colleagues, noted "Placement is similar to [another company's] crown placement, but the training from NuSmile on placement of their crowns is superior."
Ease of Use and Simplicity of Technique
According to the manufacturer, NuSmile's single appointment, easy placement technique increases productivity and reduces operatory time. In addition, the crowns are said by NuSmile to be less technique-sensitive than other treatment options.
Two evaluators rated ease of use as excellent and 5 rated it as very good. With regard to simplicity of the NuSmile Crown technique, 3 of the evaluating dentists rated it as excellent and 4 rated it as very good.
An evaluator from West Deptford, NJ, noted ease of placement as one of the features of NuSmile he liked best. This same evaluator, who has been in practice for 28 years, also said he would definitely purchase NuSmile Anterior Crowns in the future and recommend them to colleagues. He also noted that he found them to be much better than similar products.
Esthetics and Appearance vs Stainless Steel Crowns
A 2007 study published in the journal Pediatric Dentistry indicated that NuSmile Crowns have proven durability, color stability, and high parent satisfaction, making them a top choice of most pediatric dentists.1 Two additional studies have demonstrated that a majority of pediatric dentists choose NuSmile Crowns for esthetic restoration with full-coverage protection in cases of early childhood caries.2,3
When asked to rate the esthetics of NuSmile Anterior Crowns, 3 evaluators rated them as excellent, 1 rated them as very good, and 3 rated them as good. With regard to the appearance of the NuSmile Crowns compared to stainless steel crowns, all 7 of the evaluators rated NuSmile as excellent, giving them a perfect score in this category.
Overall Satisfaction
Six evaluators said they would definitely or probably purchase NuSmile Pediatric Crowns in the future and recommend them to colleagues. One evaluator said that he wanted to wait to see long-term clinical results from the crowns he placed before making that decision.
At the end of the evaluation the dentists who participated were asked to rate their overall satisfaction with NuSmile Pediatric Crowns. Four evaluators rated their overall satisfaction as excellent, 1 rated it as very good, and 2 rated it as good. An evaluator from Red Bank, NJ who has been in practice for 36 years described his experience with NuSmile Pediatric Crowns as "very positive." This evaluator, who gave the crowns an overall satisfaction rating of excellent, went on to say, "I will be recommending them to the NYU residents when teaching there."
References
1. Champagne C, MacLean J, Waggoner W. Parental satisfaction with preveneered stainless steel crowns for primary anterior teeth. Pediatr Dent. 2007;29:465-469.
2. MacLean J, Champagne C, Waggoner W. Clinical outcomes for primary anterior teeth treated with preveneered stainless steel crowns. Pediatr Dent. 2007;29:377-381.
3. Oueis H, Atwan S, Pajtas B, et al. Use of anterior veneered stainless steel crowns by pediatric dentists. Pediatr Dent. 2010;32: 411-416.
