Which statement best describes when to place a stainless steel crown on a primary molar and what advantages it offers?

• A. Indicated after extensive caries, large restorations, after pulpotomy/pulpectomy, or for fractured/missing cusps.
• B. Indicated only for cosmetic reasons.
• C. Indicated after extraction; advantages include higher cost.
• D. Indicated only for space maintenance.

Answer: (A)

Stainless steel crowns are the go-to full-coverage restoration for primary molars when the tooth is heavily compromised or has undergone pulp therapy. This approach protects the remaining tooth structure and maintains occlusion until the primary tooth naturally exfoliates. They fit well after extensive caries or large restorations because a crown can rely on intact tooth structure to seat and seal, something a simple filling wouldn’t provide. They’re also ideal after pulpotomy or pulpectomy, as the crown protects the treated pulp and helps prevent future fracture or leakage at the margins. When cusps are fractured or missing, a stainless steel crown restores form and function reliably, without needing complex procedures.

The advantages include durability and full coverage that resist masticatory forces, a good seal that minimizes recurrent decay, relative ease and speed of placement, and cost-effectiveness compared with other crowns or extensive restorations. They also help preserve space and maintain proper eruption pathways for the permanent successors. Other options don’t fit these practical needs: cosmetic-only indications don’t reflect the structural protection these crowns provide, extraction removes the tooth and space maintenance concepts, and space maintenance alone doesn’t justify a full-coverage crown.