Evaluation of periodontal health in healthy primary molars in comparison with molars restored with stainless steel crowns

Background: Children with large carious lesions are best treated with stainless-steel crowns (SSC). However, few studies have evaluated periodontal health after SSC restorations. Methods: A total of 33 children between the ages of 4 and 10 with primary molars restored with SSC were included in the study. SSC-restored molars and healthy primary teeth were evaluated for gingival status. Gingival and periodontal parameters evaluated included plaque index, plaque accumulation, gingival index, probing depth, and bleeding on probing. Results: Gingival inflammation scores were significantly higher in SSCs than in healthy teeth. Plaque accumulation, gingival index, probing values, and bleeding were significantly higher in SSC-treated molars than in healthy teeth. Conclusions: Molars restored with SSCs had higher gingival inflammation scores and deteriorated gingival health than healthy molars.