Photos by Ray Bryant, Bryant Studios
on perfect cusp-fossa occlusion with small, beautiful cusp tips
at 90 degrees on opposing fossa and marginal ridges. This
ensures that the posterior inclines don’t touch. If a crown is a
little high, the doctor only has 2-3 spots to relieve, and there are
no lateral forces, so dislodging crowns and breaking porcelain
is eliminated.”
Less adjustment time. Doctors sometimes notice that a crown
fits the model perfectly but is high in the mouth. Fuji equilibrates stone models so they go together like natural teeth. This
requires a little extra time in the lab, but it saves adjustment
time in the chair.
“The New Trend” – Master Ceramists are spending more time using technology to design their own work, which makes the time they spend on the
bench more efficient.
Accurate die spacing. Research has shown that 3-4 microns
of error creep into every step of making a crown. If technicians
are extremely precise and careful with every step, the cumulative error totals only about 50 microns – but a 50-micron deviation can cause interference on the internal surface of the crown
sufficient to prevent seating to the margin by a half millimeter.
To compensate for this, Fuji adds 150 microns of die spacing to
relieve all interferences. In order to ensure that the die spacing
achieves its purpose, Fuji has equipment to measure down to a
single micron. “Even though the need for die spacing is widely
understood, not all labs have the capability to measure their
work accurately, and many simply do not take the time,”
Ono notes.
Attention to perfect occlusion. Fuji Dental Laboratory started
more than 25 years ago under the influence of Dr. Peter
Dawson, Dr. Alvin Fillastre, and the principles set forth by the
Pankey Institute. That expertise is fundamental to the restorations that Fuji creates. “Fuji’s restorations are made with a focus
AN EPIDEMIC OF OVER-CONTOURING
Over-contoured crowns are ubiquitous in both Americanmade and offshore-manufactured crowns. Kip Estep
explains: “Even the latest high-tech milling machine that
produces the best possible product will not create a concave
neck. Creating a crown with a concave cervical neck
requires a skilled technician. Many doctors accept the overcontoured posterior crowns that are commonplace because
they don’t realize it’s possible to achieve a better result with
adequate time, skill, and dedication. Fuji sends out 100%
of all crowns with concave necks, without exception.”
ESTHETIC ANTERIOR RESTORATIONS
Milling machines, computer design, and prototype crowns are
not used to produce anterior crown and bridge restorations.
Anterior restorations demand lifelike translucency, ideal labial
anatomy, perfect contours, and naturalistic concave necks. This
level of artistry can be achieved only through painstaking layering by an elite Master Ceramist.
Estep points out, “Fuji has always been a high-end lab and has
catered to the most discerning clientele. About 10% of our doctor clients use our lab only for anterior work, however doctors
who also use us for their posterior work receive substantial discounts on anterior cases, which makes our high quality anterior
work more affordable for those practices. It is a great selling
point to be able to tell patients that your lab work is done by one
of the most renowned labs in the country.”
“A good doctor with an inferior laboratory
is like trying to win the Kentucky Derby with
a mule.” – Kip Estep
High-tech equipment and materials have dramatically impacted the way
posterior crowns are made.
10 NORTH TEXAS DENTISTRY | www.northtexasdentistry.com
Fuji Dental Laboratory promises to simplify the life of the
restorative dentist by eliminating the problems from the process
of providing crowns and bridges. Kip Estep notes, “Our goal is
to turn every first time client into a lifelong customer. When a
good doctor partners with a good lab, every crown is a marketing tool for the practice.”