Bob Conte I was recently asked how to verify proper occlusal reduction once an old crown has been removed. My response was “Was the crown still on?” and “Was the crown in occlusion?” If the answer is yes to both our job is easy. I like to make a slice up the buccal and across the occlusal table of an old crown to assist in removal. Prior to removal of the old crown, take a Meisinger 2.0mm depth cutting bur and drop it into the tooth and make a cut to depth across the occlusal. Now remove the crown and prep the occlusal to the depth of your cut. If the original crown was in occlusion, you will have exactly 2mm of clearance for your new ceramic crown. Adequate reduction in the central groove is the key to success for all ceramic restorations.
