Product Evaluation

PATTERSON DENTAL

Primary Molar Stainless Steel Crowns Evaluation

Patterson’s Primary Molar Stainless Steel Crowns are precrimped, prebelled, and prefestooned to expedite placement and fit

Patients who come in for a dental appointment typically have two goals—to be on the receiving end of the best possible treatment and to get out of the chair as quickly as possible. When that patient is a child, an optimal outcome is certainly on the mind of the parent. But even if you happen to be the kindest and gentlest dentist on the planet, it’s a safe bet that your pediatric patient has been plotting his escape since arriving at your office—if not before.

When performing dental procedures on a child, dentists know that everything possible needs to be done to ensure that treatment is not only effective, but as quick as possible. To help achieve an optimal outcome quickly, dentists often choose products and materials that can be placed promptly without unnecessary adjustments.

With this in mind, Patterson Dental designed its Primary Molar Stainless Steel Crowns (SSCs) to help expedite the fit and placement of crowns on pediatric molars. “With stainless steel crowns, fit is the essence,” explained David Buchina, DMD, a public health dentist who said, “This product performed remarkably well with little need for repeated adjustments and try-ins.”

Durability & Fit

Patterson’s Primary Molar Stainless Steel Crowns are made with a stainless steel alloy for strength and durability, resulting in a strong, full-coverage provisional treatment for pediatric posterior teeth. Available in multiple sizes for all upper and lower primary molars, the crowns are precrimped, prebelled, and prefestooned to minimize contouring and trimming, helping dentists get the fit right the first time.

Because “a faster fit equals a happier patient,” Gregory McGann, DMD, was pleased to find that Patterson’s stainless steel “crown in its entirety was tapered and easy to adapt for a quick fit.” Noting that the fit was his favorite feature, Dr. Buchina said, “It minimized trimming and crimping. The ease of fit and, consequently, the speed of placement was most definitely an asset.” When asked to suggest potential improvements, Dr. Victoria Sullivan said she would like to see “a slightly tighter start crimp.” Dr. Joel Preminger said the crowns were “better fitting and better priced than other SSCs,” and Rishi Verma, DDS, noted, “Sizing is similar to competitor crowns, which allows for better adaptability.” He added, “I had a particularly tight space to fit a crown, and these crowns were easy to cut and crimp, and easy to place.”

Ease of Placement

Because the crowns are easy to place, procedures can be done quickly and efficiently. “This crown was easy to place in the many cases in which I utilized them,” said Dr. Verma. “Placing the Patterson SSCs was efficient and predictable, and [they were] very easy to work with and adaptable,” he added. Hoping to improve the speed of pediatric crown placement, Dr. Michael Wong appreciated that the crowns were precrimped and said they were easy to place, and Dr. Sullivan identified “ease of adjustment and placement” as her favorite feature. Dr. Preminger said the ease of placement improved chair time, positively affecting his dental practice, and Dr. Buchina agreed, saying, “It is most definitely a user-friendly product.”

Final Outcome and Practice Benefits

Using the Patterson crown, Dr. Sullivan said she was able to achieve full coverage in a patient with gross dental caries on primary teeth. Dr. Buchina explained that the stainless steel crown provided much needed support, allowing the tooth to be preserved in a patient with “extensive loss of primary tooth structure insufficient for retaining direct restorations.” Noting that the crowns fit well, Dr. Preminger said, “I like the ease of placement and improved chair time,” and Dr. Verma shared, “It made treatment time more efficient, which helps when working with children whose attention span may not always be present.” Acknowledging that he was seeking a less expensive stainless steel crown, pediatric dentist Tim Fagan, DDS, discovered that “these crowns handle just like the major players. I can’t tell any difference between them and the big-selling SSCs.”

"The crown in its entirety was tapered and easy to adapt for a quick fit."
-Gregory McGann, DMD
West Deptford, NJ

Overall Satisfaction

Most of the evaluators said they would purchase Patterson’s Primary Molar Stainless Steel Crowns and recommend them to colleagues, including Dr. Fagan, who said they would save his practice money without sacrificing quality. “I think this is a good SSC for pediatric dentistry; it was very easy to use predictably,” described Dr. Sullivan. “Overall, they are a great addition to the choices of stainless steel crowns, a bread-and-butter treatment for a pediatric dentist!” concluded Dr. Verma. And Dr. Buchina summed up his thoughts by saying, “You cannot find fault with a product that makes treatment easier.”

Takeaways

• Delivers full-coverage, provisional treatment for pediatric posterior teeth

• Precrimped, prebelled, and prefestooned to minimize contouring, trimming, and adjustments

• Designed to ease and expedite placement and fit to save chair time

• Constructed of a stainless steel alloy to maximize strength and durability