Fitting hall crowns

The Hall Technique is a method for managing carious primary molars. The decay is sealed under preformed metal crowns without local anaesthesia, tooth preparation or any caries removal. There is good evidence that, if caries is effectively sealed from the oral environment, the bacterial profile in the caries will change, resulting in it losing its cariogenic potential so that the lesion does not progress.

Clinical trials have shown the Hall Technique to be effective, and acceptable to the majority of children, their parents and clinicians.

Indications include teeth with:

Contra-indications include teeth with:

Assess the tooth shape, contact points and the occlusion. If the child has tight or broad contact points, it is useful to place orthodontic separators through the mesial and distal contacts. This technique will require two appointments: the initial appointment for placing the separator and second appointment, 3–5 days later, for removal of the separator and placing the crown. Two lengths of dental floss should be threaded through the separator (Figure 3). The separator should then be stretched taut and ‘flossed’ through the contact point briskly (Figure 4) and firmly until only the leading edge is felt ‘popping through’ the contact point (Figure 5). The floss should then be removed. Alternatively, mosquitoes needle holders can be used instead of floss in the same way.