Crowns are used to restore "broken" teeth which cannot be "filled" with conventional fillings. They can be made of either metal (usualy gold), porcelain boned to metal or just porcelain.
The tooth is prepared by the dentist to accept the crown. An impression is then taken and sent to a laboratory for the crown to be made. A temporary crown will normally be fitted in the interim period.
Once the crown is ready, it is permanently bonded in place using special adhesives. Crowns should last ten to twenty years, however the dentist will give you a more accurate prognosis in your circumstance.
It is built on a foundation of a thin layer of galvanized gold, which is quite tight due to the applied technology. A layer of porcelain is fused onto this foundation, which gives the actual shape of the inlay. A disadvantage is that a thin line of gold is visible below the porcelain line, which on the other hand ensures that the inlay lies tightly. The other disadvantage is of purely aesthetic nature: the yellow colour of gold affects the colour of the inlay in a certain extent, especially in areas where the layer of porcelain is pretty thin.
Esthetics and biocompatibility are two expressions that have often been misused in connection with dental prosthetics. However, for the electroforming technology both features are obvious since electroformed products are also described as "bio-esthetic".
Combined prosthetics for fixed-removable restorations require well-tried and safe materials: non-precious alloys for the primary parts and for the tertiary framework plus electroforming gold for the secondary parts, which both ensure excellent biocompatibility and accurate fitting precision. ECOLOY covers a wide range of dental restorations. Even in case of delicate situations - e.g. wide-span bridges - you are always on the safe side with ECOLOY.
Excellent fit, safe operation, easy handling: Gramm Electroforming Technique Besides electroforming, hardly any other technique allows to produce proper dental restorations with such excellent fitting precision and esthetics, however, without high investments in expensive machinery or in time-consuming settling-in periods.
In addition, the Gramm Electroforming System goes one step further; the shelf life of all consumable materials is at least one year meaning an important advantage, especially in regard of the gold solution ECOLYT SG100. Thus, users of the electroforming technique are able to buy ECOLYT gold solution in economically reasonable quantities and, at the same time, can be sure that, even in case of a drop in orders, no reduction in quality will occur due to expired gold solution. Besides this economical aspect, the electroforming technique also convinces by its high quality. Electroformed items made by means of the Gramm Electroforming System also distinguish by a smooth, high-grade, shiny surface of the electroformed gold.
And, of course, the gold solution ECOLYT fulfils the requirements of the Medical Device Safety Act and received the CE sign of a German certification authority (CE 0483). Furthermore, it passed a cytotoxity test.
The core of the Gramm Electroforming System are the well-tried GAMMAT® units which are spread all over the world since they also convince by extremely easy operation. It is neither required to adjust the power settings nor to enter the process duration. Since they combine reasonable investment costs and a high output of the gold solution at surprisingly short process times, the GAMMAT® units take a leading position when calculating the profitability. Thanks to their neat design and easy-to-clean surfaces, the GAMMAT® units even act as decoration objects in the lab.
Gramm Electroforming mainly distinguishes by economic efficiency, precision, and esthetics. These uniquely combined features prove Gramm's competence as world market leader in the dental electroforming technique.
Porcelain fused to Zirconium
Its advantage is that is extremely accurate and quite aesthetic. The disadvantage is that it needs more time and is more expensive due to the specific technology. Zirconium oxide (yttrium-stabilized) is a high-performance ceramic which has been used successfully since the seventies for orthopedic purposes i.e. hip joints, finger joints etc. Research proves that the mechanical properties of zirconium oxide remain sufficient even after 50 years. Compared with other dental ceramic materials available on the market zirconium oxide displays the highest flexural and tensile strength. Almost all constructions of dental restorations can be carried out with this material. The zirconia blanks produced in our own production are available in 7 different sizes. The seven different sizes are available each in 16mm and 22mm height.
Characteristics
Zirconium is one of the oldest and most abundant elements in the terrestrial crust and it is the basis for Zirconium oxid (yttrium stabilized Zirconium dioxid). This first-class-performance material was successfully used for artificial limbs and joints in the medical field in the last decades and now, this material, which is very difficult to process, is also available to the dental industry. Due to its excellent biological characteristics, Zirconium is nowadays the preferred material for dental restorations. Tests revealed that in case of the use of zirconium no allergic reactions in the oral cavity area are to be expected in the mouth area. In case of correct constructions, firmness is given even after 50 years. Almost any kind of dental restoration is possible in zirconium. It is possible to make bridges of all sizes, cemented or screwed, also implant superstructures can be realized with this material.
Zirconium’s translucency favours the aesthetic and natural look of the dental restoration. Those characteristics are enhanced by the possibility to colour the frame structures with 16 different colour liquids. This fact guarantees longevity, because there are no black margin in case of age-related retreat of the gums, as this might be the case with metal restorations. Furthermore this very acid-proof material prevents the absorption of pollutants and makes cleaning easier.
Porcelain fused to metal
Our renowned porcelain fused to metal restorations are widely used as they offer strength, aesthetics, marginal integrity, predictability and excellent value for money. Each crown incorporates the finest porcelain system (VISION Ceramics) which achieves striking aesthetics, excellent bond strength and is gentle to the antagonists. Margins are trimmed and finished under microscopes and all cases are equilibrated on appropriate articulators.
Tooth reduction must take into account the length of the preparation for adequate retention, thickness of the ceramic component for optimal aesthetics and sufficient clearance for occlusal function. The aesthetic result can be further enhanced by the incorporation of buccal or 360 degree porcelain margins and staining and characterisations where requested.
A wide range of alloys are now available to suit every possible case scenario.
Hypersensitive or allergic patients can have the choice of Titanium, Nickle and Beryllium free or high precious alloy copings.
Porcelain fused to metal crowns are fabricated using the most advanced materials available. Care is taken in trimming the dies, and your cases are quality checked for proper contact points and fits on secondary solid models. Our technicians are trained to provide special attention to proper tooth morphology.
Aesthetic and high quality porcelain restorations built up by artistic craftsmen using the finest dental Ceramics. Layering techniques generating subtle hues and interplay of light dynamics to create nature-like vital characteristics using shoulder porcelain to meet the growing demand for a aesthetics in the cervical margin area.
The third generation metal fused to ceramic tissue compatibility being totally hygienic unlimited consistency in shade, being chemically inert in the mouth enabling the accurate reproduction of all natural and aesthetic features. The ceramic technique with VISION offers the Dentist not only optimum durability and reliability but also a technique which facilitates work.
As Porcelain fused to metal crown and bridge restorations bonded to a frame cast from range of alloys that include non precious, semi-precious, precious which are nickel free alloys for the sensitive patient with Metal free inlays, On lays, Full Veneer Crowns, or Laminate Veneers.
We use the products called ECOLOY NE and ECOLOY MG in our Practice. ECOLOY NE is a nickel and beryllium-free CoCr bonding alloy without carbon and ECOLOY MG is a cobalt-based alloy for the model casting technique.