Pulp therapy and stainless steel crowns are excellent treatment options in the primary dentition as a means of maintaining the space for the permanent successor. Case selection through appropriate diagnosis is essential to the long-term success of the procedures. When extraction is necessary, a space maintainer constructed chairside is convenient for the patient, the parent and the clinician.

Stainless steel crowns may be indicated in permanent molars when there has been significant breakdown of the crown and pulpal sensitivity. The procedure is more complex than for primary crowns but the results are again reliable and predictable. In the case of hypoplastic first permanent molars, the teeth can be restored at an early age with a view to considering extraction at the appropriate developmental stage.

Topics include:

• Pulp therapy for primary teeth
• Stainless steel crowns for primary & permanent molars
• Chairside construction of space maintainers
• Behaviour management options for these procedures
• Rubber dam application in children to improve prognosis and comfort of the patient

These procedures will be discussed in detail and participants will have the opportunity to complete the procedures on replica teeth and extracted teeth.