Hall Crown Treatment

Hall Crown Treatment

Video on the Hall Crown Treatmenthttps://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ndxQEDw0rAM (Shown with permission by Dr. Jeanette MacLean)

Indications for using Hall Crown Treatment: 

In young or fearful patients (such as children and special needs patients), this treatment can help avoid shots, drills, sedation and/or general anesthesia for patients with cavities. This minimally invasive treatment is standard of care in the many countries around the world.

Contraindications for using Hall Crown Treatment:

This treatment cannot be used on teeth that are painful or have infection.

What is a stainless steel crown?

Stainless steel crowns (SSC) are metal caps used to restore badly decayed baby (primary) teeth. Here are some features of stainless steel crowns:

  • They are the same size and shape as a tooth
  • They typically last the life of the tooth
  • They are easy to clean
  • They contain only safe metals
  • They cover and protect the entire tooth

What is the Hall Technique?

The Hall Technique is a process of applying a SSC on a baby tooth. The SSC seals decay and helps stop it from progressing. The tooth does not need to be made numb, does not need to be drilled, and the process only takes a few minutes. The technique can be used on front teeth with esthetic faced stainless steel crowns and back teeth with full stainless steel crowns.

Will crowning a tooth stop the decay?

Hall crown treatment covers and protects all of the tooth surfaces. The crown seals any tooth decay and helps stop it from progressing. If the body is unable to fight off the bacteria inside the tooth, there is still a chance that an infection can occur. It is recommended that Silver Diamine Fluoride be placed prior to the placement of the SSC to help kill the bacteria.

Technique:

Separators (elastic bands) are placed about 3-7 days prior to the appointment to help separate the teeth. Silver Diamine Fluoride can also be applied at that appointment. At the next appointment, a SSC is sized and fitted on the tooth and the child helps to finish cementing the SSC by biting down on it.

What happens afterwards?

After the crown is placed, your child may find that biting feels different. This feeling will return to normal in a few days. Their gums may also feel tight at first but this will go away quickly.

Your child's gum may look blue around the tooth with the SSC. This is just the color of the metal sitting under the gym. It is important that your child still brushes their teeth.

Avoid giving your child sticky foods as they may pull the crown off the tooth.

How can I help my child take better care of their teeth?

Make sure your child brushes their teeth twice a day with a fluoride toothpaste, flosses at night, and has regular dental checkups.

Try to have your child minimize snacking between meals, cut down on the amount of sugar in their diet, and drink more water and milk instead of juice and soda.

Hall Crown Treatment Handout

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