Objective To investigate the effects of anterior transparent crowns and conventional resin aesthetic restoration on gingival crevicular fluid inflammatory factor levels in the treatment of primary anterior dental caries. Methods A total of 60 children with primary anterior dental caries (60 carious teeth) admitted to our hospital from January 2023 to December 2025 were selected as the research subjects. According to the random number table method, they were divided into the control group (n =30, 30 carious teeth) and the experimental group (n =30, 30 carious teeth). The control group received conventional resin aesthetic restoration, and the experimental group was restored with anterior transparent crowns. The treatment effect, gingival crevicular fluid inflammatory factor levels and treatment satisfaction were compared between the two groups. Results The treatment success rate in the experimental group was higher than that in the control group, and the incidence of secondary caries and the rate of restoration damage were lower than those in the control group (P <0.05). The level of tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α) in the experimental group at 7 days after treatment was lower than that in the control group (P <0.05). The total treatment satisfaction rate of the experimental group was higher than that of the control group (P <0.05). Conclusion In the treatment of primary anterior dental caries, the comprehensive curative effect of anterior transparent crowns is better than that of conventional resin aesthetic restoration, and it has more advantages in improving the long-term success rate of restorations, alleviating periodontal inflammatory status and enhancing children’s satisfaction.