Clinical Outcomes of Zirconia versus Composite Strip Crowns in Paediatric Anterior Restorations

Introduction: Children’s oral health reflects overall well-being, with dental caries, especially Early Childhood Caries, being a major concern. Aesthetics are crucial, impacting psychosocial development. Various crown options exist, including strip and zirconia. Strip crowns are simple and aesthetic but technique-sensitive. Zirconia crowns offer superior aesthetics and durability but cost more. This study compares their clinical performance and parental satisfaction to identify a superior option. Materials and Methods: This randomised clinical study selected 3–6 year olds with specific anterior tooth conditions and cooperative behaviour, excluding anxious or uncooperative children. With 33 crowns per group (total 66), the study compared composite strip crowns (Group A: 62 teeth/18 children) and zirconia crowns (Group B: 54 teeth/17 children) under local anaesthesia, assessing clinical performance and parental satisfaction. Results: This study compares Strip and Zirconia crown shade match over 9 months. Initially, no significant difference was observed ( P = 0.383 at baseline, P = 0.157 at 3 months). By 9 months, Zirconia crowns showed superior colour stability ( P = 0.002), with Strip crowns exhibiting significant shade mismatch. Conclusion: At 9 months, zirconia crowns showed superior colour match, retention, contour, and gingival health versus strip crowns. Despite requiring more tooth reduction, their durability led to better clinical success and higher parent/child satisfaction, making them ideal for pulp-treated anterior primary teeth.