The Composite Strip Crown

The composite strip crown is utilized to restore primary incisors for the following
indications:
1. Incisors with large interproximal lesions
2. Incisors that have received pulp therapy
3. Incisors that have been fractured
4. Incisors with multiple hypoplastic defects or developmental disturbances
5. Discolored incisors
6. Incisors with small interproximal lesions that also demonstrate large areas of
decalcification

Armamentarium (in addition to above)

1. Strip crowns
2. #169L bur, #35 inverted cone
3. Scissors

Maxillary Left Central Incisor #F

Pertinent morphologic features:

See information given for tooth #G (page **)

Description of the lesion (Figure 26):

It is assumed that on the tooth for this preparation, there is extensive, deep proximal
decay.

Figure 26: Primary central incisor with extensive, deep proximal decay.

Description of preparation of Tooth #F:

Select the shade of resin to be used.

Place and ligate rubber dam.
Select a primary incisor celluloid crown with a mesiodistal width approximately equal to
the tooth being restored.
Reduce the incisal edge by 1.5 mm using a fine tapered diamond or #169L bur.
Reduce the interproximal surfaces by 0.5 to 1.0 mm (Figure 27). The reduction should
allow a crown form to slip over the tooth.

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The interproximal walls should be parallel, and the gingival margin should have a
feather edge.
Reduce the facial surface by at least 1.0 mm and the lingual surface by at least 0.5 mm.
Create a feather-edge gingival margin. Round all line angles.
Place a small undercut on the facial surface in the gingival one third of the tooth with a
#330 bur or a #35 inverted cone.

Figure 27: The proximal surfaces are sliced with a 169L bur to make the proximal surface free of the adjoining tooth.
The incisal surface is reduced 1 - 1 mm.

Figure 28: Composite Strip Crown preparation. A. Labial view. B. Proximal view. C. Incisal view. The proximal
slice should be parallel to the natural external contours of the tooth.

Description of restoration of Tooth #F:

Trim the selected crown form by cutting away excess material gingivally with crown-
and-bridge. Trial fit the crown.
Crown form should fit 1 mm below the gingival crest.
After the crown is fitted, punch a small hole in the lingual surface with an explorer to
allow for the escape of trapped air and filling material.
Etch the tooth for 15-20 seconds.
Rinse and dry the tooth, then apply a dentin bonding agent. Blow compressed air on the
tooth for a couple of seconds.
Fill the crown form approximately 2/3 full with a resin-based composite material and
seat onto the tooth.
While holding the crown in place, remove excess material with an explorer.
Polymerize the material from both buccal and lingual directions.
Peel the form from the tooth using an explorer.
Remove rubber dam and evaluate occlusion.
Finish with a flame carbide bur smoothing out any irregularities.
A football shaped bur may be used for final contouring of the lingual surface.

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