Crown foundations with a custom matrix, composites, and reverse carving.

Abstract

This article describes a restorative technique for the formation of composite cores for artificial crowns. The procedure uses a semirigid matrix with reverse carving to form the cores on substantially compromised teeth. The matrix allows the placement of the composite under pressure to reduce voids and gaps and permits completion of multiple cores simultaneously. Reverse carving enables development of a common axis for multiple cores. The dentist can perform the tooth preparation for the crown at the time of the core restoration. The effort commonly applied to developing tooth morphologic features in the core can be invested instead in the formation of the interim restoration. The remaining tooth structure, pin or post placement, and location of the finish line can be evaluated with the insight of a crown foundation and not merely as a traditional restoration.