The marginal polishing of Ion Ni-Chro crowns: a preliminary report

Although several publications about the stainless steel crown are available, only a few studies were found by which the effect of the crowns on gingival health was investigated. Webber suggested that there were no gingival changes after placement of the stainless steel crown. Goto, however, found that gingivitis occurred around most of the crowns. The highest incidence was noticed around the crowns with the poorest marginal adaptation. Henderson showed that the poorer the crown fit, the greater the plaque accumulation and the more severe the gingivitis. Myers also found that gingivitis was associated with poor crown adaptation. In the investigation by Peterson, attention was drawn to the polishing of stainless steel crowns before placement. Following the results of our small pilot study, it was clear that polishing of the crown margins is a very important procedure. It was found that the use of abrasive wheels followed by silicon rubbers was the most satisfactory. Independently, we can state that careful polishing of the crown margins is a "must" to prevent gingivitis.