Restoring Smiles for the Young: Aesthetic and Functional Rehabilitation of 3 Year Old Children with Early Childhood Caries: Case Reports

Abstract

Early childhood caries results in early pulp involvement and gross destruction of the anterior and posterior teeth. This leads to decreased masticatory efficiency, difficulty in speech, compromised esthetics,  development of abnormal tongue habits and subsequent malocclusion and psychological problems. The restoration of severely decayed deciduous teeth especially anteriors presents a special challenge to dentists, particularly in uncooperative children. The following case reports document the restoration of severely mutilated deciduous teeth in two emotionally immature patients resulting in an improvement in not only their oral and general health but also helping them gain self-confidence.