The sandwich technique and strip crowns: an esthetic restoration for primary incisors

The restoration of carious, fractured, or discolored primary incisors is rewarding to dentists because it gives them the satisfaction of knowing they have restored the smile and self-confidence of a growing child. However, restoring primary teeth can be a strenuous task because of the difficulty in keeping these patients' teeth dry and the uncooperative behavior of the child that sometimes occurs. Dentists are always seeking procedures that are esthetic, easy to use, and relatively quick to complete. This article describes a relatively easy technique that produces a beautiful outcome in a comparatively short time. The author has used this procedure on hundreds of children for more than 20 years, modifying the approach as appropriate when new methods and materials become available.