Hall Technique vs Conventional Stainless Steel Crowns in Pediatric Dentistry: Effectiveness, Pros and Cons

Stainless steel crowns (SSC) are the gold standard for restoring extensively carious primary molars. The conventional technique requires caries removal, anesthesia, and tooth preparation.

📌 Recommended Article :

PDF 🔽 Hall technique: Complete information for the treatment of carious primary molars ... The objective of the article is to provide adequate information on the Hall technique, indications, contraindications, disadvantages, and the cost-effectiveness of this procedure.

In contrast, the Hall Technique seals caries under a preformed metal crown without local anesthesia, tooth preparation, or caries removal, aligning with the principles of minimally invasive dentistry.

Advertisement

✅ Advantages and Disadvantages

1. Hall Technique
➤ Advantages
° High success rates (~94–97% at medium-term follow-up).
° No anesthesia, drilling, or caries removal, reducing anxiety in pediatric patients.
° Shorter chair time (4–5 minutes vs ~28 minutes for conventional SSCs).
° Well accepted by children and parents.
° Spontaneous occlusal adjustment within weeks.
➤ Disadvantages
° Initial occlusal vertical dimension increase (resolves in 2–30 days).
° Not suitable in advanced pulpal involvement or extensive root resorption.
° Aesthetic limitations (visible metal).
° Requires orthodontic separators in tight contacts, which may cause discomfort.

📌 Recommended Article :

Video 🔽 Stainless Steel Crowns: Adaptation and installation - Step by step ... The video that we share teaches us everything related to steel crowns, advantages, disadvantages, and how to select the appropriate crown.

2. Conventional Stainless Steel Crowns (SSC)
➤ Advantages
° Long clinical track record, widely taught in dental curricula.
° Effective in a broad range of clinical cases.
➤ Disadvantages
° Invasive: requires anesthesia, tooth preparation, and caries removal.
° More time-consuming (~28 minutes per case).
° Patient discomfort and possible trauma.
° Comparable survival to Hall but requires more resources

📌 Recommended Article :

PDF 🔽 Modified Hall technique in hypomineralized molar ... We share the management of severely hypomineralized molars using the modified Hall technique, indicating its advantages, objectives and the step-by-step process.

💬 Discussion
The Hall Technique demonstrates comparable or superior survival rates to conventional SSCs in primary molars, with additional benefits of reduced chair time, less invasiveness, and higher patient acceptance. Although initial occlusal changes and esthetics remain challenges, evidence shows these issues resolve or are clinically acceptable. The Hall Technique is especially valuable in anxious children, special needs patients, or resource-limited settings.

✍️Conclusion
Both Hall and conventional SSC techniques are effective for managing extensively carious primary molars. However, the Hall Technique offers a minimally invasive, patient-friendly alternative with high success rates and reduced treatment burden. Proper case selection remains essential to ensure long-term success.

📌 Recommended Article :

PDF 🔽 The Hall Technique: Manual for the management of primary molar caries ... We share a manual on the evaluation, application and procedure of the Hall Technique in primary molars affected by caries.

📚 References

✔ Altoukhi, D. H., & El-Housseiny, A. A. (2020). Hall technique for carious primary molars: A review of the literature. Dentistry Journal, 8(2), 35. https://doi.org/10.3390/dj8020035

✔ Innes, N. P. T., Ricketts, D., Chong, L. Y., Keightley, A. J., Lamont, T., & Santamaria, R. M. (2019). Preformed crowns for decayed primary molar teeth. Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews, 2019(5), CD005512. https://doi.org/10.1002/14651858.CD005512.pub3

✔ Ludwig, K. H., Fontana, M., Vinson, L. A., Platt, J. A., & Dean, J. A. (2014). The success of stainless steel crowns placed with the Hall technique. Journal of the American Dental Association, 145(12), 1248–1253. https://doi.org/10.14219/jada.2014.95

✔ Elamin, F., Abdelazeem, N., & Honkala, E. (2019). Comparison of Hall technique and conventional stainless steel crown techniques for primary molars: A randomized controlled trial. European Archives of Paediatric Dentistry, 20(5), 467–474. https://doi.org/10.1007/s40368-019-00421-3

✔ Ayedun, O. S., Folayan, M. O., & Oyedele, T. A. (2021). Comparison of the treatment outcomes of the Hall technique and conventional stainless steel crown technique. Nigerian Journal of Clinical Practice, 24(4), 548–554. https://doi.org/10.4103/njcp.njcp_507_19

✔ Badar, S. B., Tabassum, S., & Khan, F. R. (2019). Effectiveness of Hall technique for carious primary molars: A meta-analysis. International Journal of Clinical Pediatric Dentistry, 12(2), 132–138. https://doi.org/10.5005/jp-journals-10005-1622

✔ Hu, S. (2022). Hall technique for managing carious primary molars: A systematic review. Journal of Stomatology, Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery, 123(6), 581–588. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jormas.2022.01.003

Herkar, P. P., Karkera, R., & Thomas, A. (2022). A comparative study of stress distribution in primary molars restored with Hall and conventional SSC techniques using finite element analysis. Journal of Pediatric Dentistry, 40(3), 205–212. https://doi.org/10.4103/jpd.jpd_25_22

✔ MedRxiv. (2025, May 19). Comparative survival of Hall vs conventional preformed metal crowns in primary molars. MedRxiv. https://doi.org/10.1101/2025.05.18.25327863

📌 More Recommended Items

► Hall Technique for Stainless Steel Crown in 3 easy steps
► Hall Technique Procedure Manual: Advantages, Disadvantages, Step-by-Step Procedure
► Indications for Hall technique usage in pediatric dentistry

Stainless Steel Crowns for Kids: When and Why They’re the Best Option

Stainless steel crowns (SSCs) are one of the most reliable restorations used in pediatric dentistry, especially for baby molars that have severe decay or have undergone pulp therapy.

📌 Recommended Article :

PDF 🔽 Hall technique: Complete information for the treatment of carious primary molars ... Steel crowns are used in pediatric dentistry when primary teeth are severely damaged by dental caries. They are usually placed after pulp treatment and in hypoplastic teeth

First introduced in the 1950s, they are still widely used because they are strong, affordable, and long-lasting—often outperforming white fillings in baby teeth.

Advertisement

✅ When Are Stainless Steel Crowns Used in Children?
Pediatric dentists commonly use SSCs when:

° A baby tooth has large cavities that can’t be fixed with a regular filling
° The tooth has been treated with a pulpotomy or pulpectomy
° The enamel is weak due to conditions like enamel hypoplasia or molar-incisor hypomineralization (MIH)
° The tooth has fractured due to trauma
° The child is at high risk of cavities or has special healthcare needs

📌 Recommended Article :

Video 🔽 Stainless Steel Crowns: Adaptation and installation - Step by step ... The video that we share teaches us everything related to steel crowns, advantages, disadvantages, and how to select the appropriate crown

✅ Benefits of Stainless Steel Crowns for Baby Teeth

° Long-lasting protection (often until the tooth naturally falls out)
° Full coverage and excellent seal against bacteria
° Quick and easy placement in a single visit
° Ideal for young children or those who have trouble cooperating
° Lower cost than most other restorative options

✅ How Pediatric Dentists Place a Stainless Steel Crown

1. Examine and diagnose the tooth
2. Choose the correct crown size
3. Reduce the biting surface and sides of the tooth
4. Try in the crown to ensure a proper fit
5. Cement it using glass ionomer cement
6. Check the bite and remove any excess cement

The entire process can often be done in one appointment, which is especially helpful for children with limited patience or dental anxiety.

📌 Recommended Article :

PDF 🔽 Stainless steel crowns: Minimally invasive technique - Benefits and advantages ... We share the benefits and advantages of stainless steel crowns in the restoration of primary teeth affected by advanced caries

✅ Why Not Just Do a Filling?

White fillings (composite) or silver fillings (amalgam) may work for small cavities, but they often fail in baby teeth with major decay. Stainless steel crowns are stronger, more protective, and have a much lower failure rate—especially when the child is at high risk for future cavities.
While some parents may prefer tooth-colored crowns, research shows that SSCs have a success rate of over 90%, even after several years. Esthetic crowns like zirconia are more expensive, and not always ideal for very young or uncooperative children.

💡 Conclusion

Stainless steel crowns remain the gold standard for restoring primary molars with major damage. They offer reliable, long-term protection, are cost-effective, and reduce the need for future dental work.
If your child needs treatment for a decayed or weakened baby tooth, talk to your pediatric dentist about whether a stainless steel crown is the right option. In many cases, it’s the best way to keep their smile healthy and pain-free until the adult teeth come in.

📌 Recommended Article :

PDF 🔽 Indications for Hall technique usage in pediatric dentistry ... The Hall technique is a minimally invasive technique that controls the progression of caries, making it a much simpler procedure with less preparation

📚 References

✔ American Academy of Pediatric Dentistry (AAPD). (2023). Clinical Practice Guidelines: Restorative Dentistry. Reference Manual, 45(6), 372–380. https://www.aapd.org/research/oral-health-policies--recommendations/

✔ Lynch, C. D., O'Sullivan, V. R., & McConnell, R. J. (2020). Success and survival of stainless steel crowns placed in primary molars: A systematic review and meta-analysis. International Journal of Paediatric Dentistry, 30(3), 212–222. https://doi.org/10.1111/ipd.12612

✔ Santos, J. M., Diniz, M. B., Oliveira, B. H., & Braga, M. M. (2021). Longevity of restorations in primary teeth: A systematic review and meta-analysis. Pediatric Dentistry, 43(1), 16–24. https://www.aapd.org

📌 More Recommended Items

► Step-by-step preparation of molars and primary incisors for Zirconia crowns
► Anterior dental esthetics in primary teeth - Oral Rehabilitation
► The Hall Technique: Manual for the management of primary molar caries

Zirconia crowns in pediatric dentistry: Clinical considerations and step-by-step procedure

Early childhood caries destroys children's dental tissue, especially the upper incisors, putting the patient's aesthetics, chewing, phonation, and social development at risk.

📌 Recommended Article :

Video 🔽 Step-by-step preparation of molars and primary incisors for Zirconia crowns ... The greatest benefit of Zirconia crowns is aesthetics, compared to stainless steel crowns. At the time of preparation, a series of considerations must be taken by the pediatric dentist

Currently there are several aesthetic alternatives for the oral rehabilitation of pediatric patients, such as direct resins, celluloid crowns or zirconia crowns.

Advertisement

Learn about the indications and contraindications of zirconia crowns in pediatric dentistry, in addition to the clinical considerations and protocol for successful implementation of the crowns. Information in PDF and video

📌 Recommended Article :

Article PDF 🔽 Anterior dental esthetics in primary teeth - Oral Rehabilitation ... Primary teeth can be affected by bottle tooth decay, or by hypoplastic defects, and in some cases by bruxism

📌 Read and download the article in PDF:

👉 "Clinical considerations for preformed zirconia crowns in early childhood caries: A case series and review of literature" 👈

Rajesh Hemant Bariker, Jorge Casián-Adem, Ivonne Segovia. Clinical considerations for preformed zirconia crowns in early childhood caries: A case series and review of literature. Contemp Pediatr Dent 2022:3(1):24-34

📌 Watch video: "Zirconia crowns for anterior pediatric restoration"

Youtube/ Magnus Group LLC

📌 More Recommended Items

► Pediatric Zirconia Crown Technique - Anterior and Posterior
► The Hall Technique: Manual for the management of primary molar caries
► Alternative for the rehabilitation of pediatric patients with early childhood caries

Dental Bridges: Step by Step Procedure

When one or several teeth are lost due to trauma or advanced caries, a series of serious consequences opens up that puts the patient's occlusion, chewing and aesthetics at risk.

📌 Recommended Article:

Watch the video 🔽 ORTHODONTICS : Serial extraction of primary teeth ... This procedure is part of an orthodontic planning, in which there must previously be a series of studies to decide which pieces are going to have to be extracted

There are several ways to replace missing teeth, such as removable dentures, dental bridges, and implants. There are several types of dental bridges and must be previously evaluated by the dentist.

Advertisement

We share the definition, types, importance, and the step-by-step procedure of dental bridges.

📌 More recommended items

► How we can manage orthodontic pain and discomfort?
► Techniques and recommendations for an extraction in pediatric dentistry
► What are the consequences of a tooth extraction?

📌 Watch video 1 "What is a Dental Bridge?"

Youtube/ Smiles Dental Group

📌 Watch video 2 "How is a dental bridge made? Step by Step"

Youtube/ The Tooth Restorator

Hall Technique Procedure Manual: Advantages, Disadvantages, Step-by-Step Procedure

Caries is an infectious, multifactorial and most prevalent disease that affects the dental surface of the primary and permanent dentition. It is important to rehabilitate the affected teeth to avoid serious consequences in the development of the dentition.

📌 Recommended Article :

Article PDF 🔽 Hall technique: Complete information for the treatment of carious primary molars ... Steel crowns are used in pediatric dentistry when primary teeth are severely damaged by dental caries. They are usually placed after pulp treatment and in hypoplastic teeth.

The Hall technique is a safe and effective procedure that prevents the advance of dental caries in primary teeth. One of its great advantages is its low cost and little prior preparation.

Advertisement

We share a manual on the Hall technique, detailing step by step its preparation and the justification for its use in controlling dental caries in primary dentition.

📌 Read and download the article in PDF : Hall Technique Procedure Manual: Advantages, Disadvantages, Step-by-Step Procedure



The Hall Technique A minimal intervention, child centred approach to managing the carious primary molar. Text copyright Nicola Innes, Dafydd Evans, Matthew Stewart, Alex Keightley. University of Dundee. Edition 4: 01.07.15

📌 More Recommended Items

► Stainless Steel Crowns: Adaptation and installation - Step by step
► Hall Technique for Stainless Steel Crown in 3 easy steps
► Modified Hall technique in hypomineralized molar

Stainless steel crowns: Minimally invasive technique - Benefits and advantages

Stainless steel crowns are used for the restoration of primary teeth that have been affected by advanced caries or by a fracture that compromises a large part of the dental tissue, or in cases such as Molar Incisor Hypomineralization.

📌 Recommended Article :

Article PDF 🔽 Indications for Hall technique usage in pediatric dentistry ... The Hall technique is a minimally invasive technique that controls the progression of caries, making it a much simpler procedure with less preparation.

Stainless steel crowns are chosen for their ease of adaptation, simple technique, and long life, as well as their low cost compared to other restorative means.

Advertisement

We share the benefits and advantages of stainless steel crowns in the restoration of primary teeth affected by advanced caries.

📌 Download the article in PDF :

👉 READ AND DOWNLOAD THE ARTICLE "Stainless steel crowns: Minimally invasive technique - Benefits and advantages" IN PDF, HERE 👈

Dr. Katie Peterson. Stainless steel crowns for restoration of primary teeth: a minimally invasive, time-saving technique.

📌 More Recommended Items

► Tooth Preparation for Stainless Steel Crown - Step by step
► Hall Technique for Stainless Steel Crown in 3 easy steps
► Stainless Steel Crowns: Adaptation and installation - Step by step

Molar incisor hypomineralisation: Definition, diagnosis and clinical management

Molar incisor hypomineralization is a development defect of dental enamel, and affects the aesthetics of the tooth and generates sensitivity and a high degree of enamel fracture, in addition to a high risk of caries.

📌Recommended Article :

Download the PDF 🔽 Molar Incisor Hypomineralization: Minimally Invasive Treatments - Step by Step ... The tooth affected by molar incisor hypomineralization has a porous appearance with brown, yellow and opaque white stains

The molar or incisor affected by hypomineralization presents a white/yellow color, and with an enamel susceptible to fracture. There are mild and severe cases, which is why an early diagnosis is important to avoid tooth loss.

Advertisement

We share an article that teaches us what is the clinical management of molar incisor hypomineralization (MIH), differential diagnosis and treatment in mild and severe cases in children.

📌Download the article in PDF :

👉 READ AND DOWNLOAD "Molar incisor hypomineralisation: Definition, diagnosis and clinical management" IN FULL IN PDF👈

Daly D, Waldron JM. Molar incisor hypomineralisation: clinical management of the young patient. J Ir Dent Assoc. 2009 Apr-May;55(2):83-6. PMID: 19455847.

📌 More Recommended Items

► ORAL REHABILITATION of a child with dentinogenesis imperfecta
► Molar-Incisor Hypomineralisation: Clinical Manifestations and Treatment
► What is tooth sensitivity?