Rising expectations for esthetic dental care have extended to pediatric patients, challenging clinicians to balance appearance, durability, and evidence-based treatment. Stainless steel crowns (SSCs) remain the most reliable restoration for multi-surface caries and compromised primary molars, demonstrating superior longevity compared to alternatives. However, their poor esthetics have prompted development of veneered SSCs. While these improve appearance, concerns remain regarding technique sensitivity, cost, and long-term durability, particularly veneer fracture. This study aimed to evaluate and compare the fracture resistance of three types of veneered SSCs relative to the maximum masticatory forces of children.
