The modified transparent crown: different applications for the conventional cellulose acetate anterior crown former

The cellulose acetate transparent crown former (also known as a strip crown) has been a popular choice for restoring traumatized and carious anterior teeth for over three decades. Their strong durability and retention success has been reported in the literature when utilized to fabricate bonded resin composite restorations in primary incisors.¹ Not only can these simple and effective crown formers be used in Paediatric Dentistry where they have been shown to have a success rate of over 80%,^1,2 but they could also be applied for use in the permanent dentition, where appropriate, for patients of all ages. Many of the pre-formed sizes are much larger than the average primary incisor and match on size more appropriately with the permanent dentition.

Classically, they are used for primary full coronal restorations³ when tooth tissue has been lost from multiple surfaces due to, typically, caries or trauma. They are commonly also used in the build-up of microdont incisors. They can provide a relatively straightforward way to achieve a superior aesthetic result, which can then, should they fail in the future, be easily repaired.²