Crowns at the dentist, the "traditional crown"
The most used type of crown is the so-called VMK crown (Screen-Metal-Ceramic crown). As the name has already said, thecrown is made up of a metal core with ceramic burned onto it on the outside. The metal (a gold alloy) provides the durability and stability and the ceramic gives the crown a natural tooth colour.
Which points need to be especially observed during the manufacture?
• Tooth colour:
So that the crown cannot be distinguished from the own teeth, good cooperation is needed between the dentist and the technician. With the technical resources available these days it is almost always possible to make the crown not only similar to the teeth, but the same as the teeth – if this is not possible then a ceramic or fibreglass strengthened plastic crown is inserted.
• Crown shape or edge:
Perfect cooperation between the dentist and the technician is required for the shape.
Whether the VMK crown has a pure gold edge or a gold – ceramic edgeis also a deciding factor. To achieve the maximum durability I always advise the patients to take a mini-gold edge.
• The cementation:
A VMK crown is inserted using zinc-phosphate cement. This cement has been the best cement for decades, because it actively kills the bacteria off. . It has the disinfection agent zinc as a component and in addition to that, the cement creates an alkali environment in which bacteria cannot survive. Should the fissure between the crown and the tooth be too big, then the cement will be flushed out over the course of the years. As the minigold edge allows “no” fissure anymore when it’s precisely prepared, I suggest a minigold edge to the patients whenever the aesthetics allow it.