Conventional versus Hall technique for preformed metal crown restorations of carious primary molars-a randomised controlled trial comparing treatment duration and child and parental perceptions.

purposeThe preformed metal crown (PMC) is an extremely durable restoration for cavitated carious primary molars. Clinically, the PMC is delivered either by the conventional technique (CT) or the more conservative Hall technique (HT). The present study aimed to compare procedural time, child pain perception and behaviour, and parent acceptability, when the CT or HT were used to restore carious primary molars with PMCs.

methodsThis was a primary care-based, two-arm parallel-group, randomised controlled trial with 80 participants randomly assigned into the CT and HT groups. To ensure standardisation, potential participants were screened and treated by a single paediatric dentist. Outcome measures evaluated included the procedural time taken; child's pain perception (Wong-Baker FACES Pain Scale); child behaviour (Frankl scale); and parental perceptions and acceptability (5-point Likert scales).

resultsProcedural time required for the CT and HT treatment groups was 17.4 ± 2.9 and 7.1 ± 2.8 min, respectively (P < 0.001). Child self-reported pain intensity perception was statistically significantly higher in the CT group (Χ

conclusionsCompared to the CT, the HT of delivering PMCs to restore carious primary molars required shorter procedural time, elicited lower child pain perception, and better parent acceptability.