Purpose: The purpose of this study was to examine the changes in bite characteristics of children before and after the placement of multiple stainless steel crowns (SSCs) under general anesthesia (GA).
Methods: Twenty children scheduled for treatment under general anesthesia who needed SSCs in three or more posterior quadrants were included in this study. The bite was digitally analyzed and recorded preoperatively and at one and four weeks postoperatively. The occlusion time, number of force outliers, and distribution of force at each visit was recorded and compared.
Results: The placement of the SSCs in children significantly improved the bite characteristics of the participants. The placement of the SSC did not alter occlusion time, and there were no significant differences in occlusion time. While there was an increase in the number of outliers in the first week after the placement of the crown, there was a reduction in the total number of outliers at the end of one month. All the patients treated with bilateral placement of an SSC showed a posterior balanced occlusion post-operatively, a finding that was retained over the one-month follow-up period.
Conclusion: Bilateral placement of SSCs under general anesthesia does not significantly alter the occlusion of the child.