Crown Formation Research Articles

Lines of evidence-incremental markings in molar enamel of Soay sheep as revealed by a fluorochrome labeling and backscattered electron imaging study.

We studied the structural characteristics and periodicities of regular incremental markings in sheep enamel using fluorochrome injections for vital labeling of forming enamel and backscattered electron imaging in the scanning electron microscope. Microscopic analysis of mandibular first molars revealed the presence of incremental markings with a daily periodicity (laminations) that indicated successive positions of the forming front of interprismatic enamel. In addition to the laminations, incremental markings with a sub-daily periodicity were discernible both in interprismatic enamel and in enamel prisms. Five sub-daily increments were present between two consecutive laminations. Backscattered electron imaging revealed that each sub-daily growth increment consisted of a broader and more highly mineralized band and a narrower and less mineralized band (line). The sub-daily markings in the prisms of sheep enamel morphologically resembled the (daily) prisms cross striations seen in primate enamel. Incremental markings with a supra-daily periodicity were not observed in sheep enamel. Based on the periodicity of the incremental markings, maximum mean daily apposition rates of 17.0 µm in buccal enamel and of 13.4 µm in lingual enamel were recorded. Enamel extension rates were also high, with maximum means of 180 µm/day and 217 µm/day in upper crown areas of buccal and lingual enamel, respectively. Values in more cervical crown portions were markedly lower. Our results are in accordance with previous findings in other ungulate species. Using the incremental markings present in primate enamel as a reference could result in a misinterpretation of the incremental markings in ungulate enamel. Thus, the sub-daily growth increments in the prisms of ungulate enamel might be mistaken as prism cross striations with a daily periodicity, and the laminations misidentified as striae of Retzius with a supra-daily periodicity. This would lead to a considerable overestimation of crown formation times in ungulate teeth.

Negative short-term salt effects on the soybean-Bradyrhizobium japonicum interaction and partial reversion by calcium addition.

The short-term (2h) effects of salt stress (50 and 150mM NaCl) on early events of soybean- Bradyrhizobium japonicum (rhizobia) interaction were analysed, determining the following parameters in root hair with or without calcium addition: deformation, apoplastic superoxide radical production (O2⚫-), root hair death and sodium/potassium ion content. We also analysed whether this short-term salt stress influenced later formation of crown and noncrown nodules, determining the number and weight of nodules. The negative effect of salt stress on these characters was attenuated by the addition of 5mM CaCl2. We also analysed the expression of pathogenesis-related proteins (PRP) genes PR-1, PR-2, PR-3, and four isoforms of PR-5. The expression of PR-2 increased under saline conditions and decreased in osmotic treatment and saline treatment supplemented with calcium in the presence of the symbiont. The changes in PR-2 expression levels, together with the death of root hairs provide a possible mechanism for the inhibition of infection by the symbiont under salinity, and suggests a possible overlap with responses to plant pathogens.

Numerical study of a single drop impact onto a liquid film up to the consequent formation of a crown

In this paper, the whole dynamic process of a single drop impact onto a thin liquid surface up to the consequent formation of a thin crown is numerically studied using the smoothed particle hydrodynamics (SPH) method. Especially, the gravity, artificial viscosity, and surface tension are introduced into the model. The obtained SPH numerical results are compared with experimental results. The numerical model of the SPH method is valid for simulating the dynamic process of a single drop impact onto a liquid surface. Meanwhile, it is found that the whole dynamic process mainly depends on the depth of the liquid pool and the initial velocity of the droplet.

Analyse and Control Research about the Cause of Shape Defects on Hot-Rolled Strip Steel

Strip shape defects, especially the crown problem, once appeared in the production of hot-rolled strip steel in SG Company. The macroscopic characteristic is the thickness difference occurred between the center and edge cross section of hot-rolled plate. Morphological characteristics and forming reasons can be got by analyzing roll wear. Research shows that the main reason for the formation of crown is excessive attrition of work roll in later period, which leading to smaller roll shape. Therefore, shape defects have been effectively controlled after introducing CVC roll contour technology to optimize roll shape. Quality qualified rate of strip shape of hot-rolled strip steel is more than 99.6% percent, and it has been successfully put into application of hot rolling mill.

Bone morphogenetic protein-2 gene controls tooth root development in coordination with formation of the periodontium

Formation of the periodontium begins following onset of tooth-root formation in a coordinated manner after birth. Dental follicle progenitor cells are thought to form the cementum, alveolar bone and Sharpey's fibers of the periodontal ligament (PDL). However, little is known about the regulatory morphogens that control differentiation and function of these progenitor cells, as well as the progenitor cells involved in crown and root formation. We investigated the role of bone morphogenetic protein-2 (Bmp2) in these processes by the conditional removal of the Bmp2 gene using the Sp7-Cre-EGFP mouse model. Sp7-Cre-EGFP first becomes active at E18 in the first molar, with robust Cre activity at postnatal day 0 (P0), followed by Cre activity in the second molar, which occurs after P0. There is robust Cre activity in the periodontium and third molars by 2 weeks of age. When the Bmp2 gene is removed from Sp7+ (Osterix+) cells, major defects are noted in root, cellular cementum and periodontium formation. First, there are major cell autonomous defects in root-odontoblast terminal differentiation. Second, there are major alterations in formation of the PDLs and cellular cementum, correlated with decreased nuclear factor IC (Nfic), periostin and α-SMA+ cells. Third, there is a failure to produce vascular endothelial growth factor A (VEGF-A) in the periodontium and the pulp leading to decreased formation of the microvascular and associated candidate stem cells in the Bmp2-cKOSp7-Cre-EGFP. Fourth, ameloblast function and enamel formation are indirectly altered in the Bmp2-cKOSp7-Cre-EGFP. These data demonstrate that the Bmp2 gene has complex roles in postnatal tooth development and periodontium formation.

Establishment of crown–root domain borders in mouse incisor

Teeth are composed of two domains, the enamel-covered crown and the enamel-free root. The understanding of the initiation and regulation of crown and root domain formation is important for the development of bioengineered teeth. In most teeth the crown develops before the root, and erupts to the oral cavity whereas the root anchors the tooth to the jawbone. However, in the continuously growing mouse incisor the crown and root domains form simultaneously, the crown domain forming the labial and the root domain the lingual part of the tooth. While the crown–root border on the incisor distal side supports the distal enamel extent, reflecting an evolutionary diet adaptation, on the incisor mesial side the root-like surface is necessary for the attachment of the interdental ligament between the two incisors. Therefore, the mouse incisor exhibits a functional distal–mesial asymmetry. Here, we used the mouse incisor as a model to understand the mechanisms involved in the crown–root border formation. We analyzed the cellular origins and gene expression patterns leading to the development of the mesial and distal crown–root borders. We discovered that Barx2, En1, Wnt11, and Runx3 were exclusively expressed on the mesial crown–root border. In addition, the distal border of the crown–root domain might be established by cells from a different origin and by an early Follistatin expression, factor known to be involved in the root domain formation. The use of different mechanisms to establish domain borders gives indications of the incisor functional asymmetry.

New population of odontoblasts responsible for tooth root formation

Root formation is initiated with the extension of Hertwig’s epithelial root sheath (HERS) after crown morphogenesis. To date, little is known about the molecular and cellular mechanisms controlling root formation. Recently we found rootless molars are formed in the dental mesenchyme-specific β-catenin conditional knockout mice. The striking root phenotypes of these mutant mice result from the disrupted differentiation of differentiating odontoblasts, caused by ablation of β-catenin during initiation of root formation. Here we show the cellular and molecular characteristics of differentiating odontoblasts using histochemistry and immunohistochemistry. These cells were not found in crown formation, but appeared only in the apical end of developing tooth, thus we have named these cells “apical odontoblasts” (AOds). AOds appeared immediately after HERS formation and were always present on the apical side of developing roots until root formation was complete. These findings indicate that AOds are closely associated with the transition from crown to root and with root elongation. In AOds, several transcription factors, including Nfic, Creb3l1, and Osx, as well as β-catenin and alkaline phosphatase were expressed but Phex and Dspp were not expressed. Taken together, our results indicate that AOds are the principal cells responsible for tooth root formation. These findings may contribute to the further understanding of the mechanisms underlying tooth root formation and root regeneration.

단일 액적의 고체 표면 액막과의 충돌 현상에 관한 연구

In this paper an experimental study is presented to investigate the dynamic behavior of impacting droplet onto a liquid film. The main parameters are the droplet velocity and the thickness of the liquid film. Photographic images are presented to show the formation of crown, central jet and disintegrating droplet from the central jet. The emphasis is on presenting the time evolution of crown diameter, crown height, central jet height and the size of disintegrating droplet from the central jet. The diameter and height of crown are higher for faster droplet and thinner liquid film. On the other hand, the height of central jet are higher for faster droplet and thicker liquid film. The size of disintegrating droplet from the central jet heavily depends on the droplet velocity; Larger droplet is produced with faster falling droplets.

Biology of Pseudopotamilla reniformis (Müller 1771) in the White Sea, with description of asexual reproduction

The tube-dwelling polychaete Pseudopotamilla reniformis (Sabellidae) forms dense and complex aggregations of flexible tubes on hard substrates in the subtidal zone of the White Sea. No sexual reproduction was observed in this study and recruitment appeared to be due to asexual reproduction by architomy in winter, from October to March. The posterior part of the abdomen undergoes spontaneous fission into from 2 to 4 fragments and depending on their position, the fragments regenerate their anterior ends or both anterior and posterior ends. Regeneration in P. reniformis takes place via a combination of epimorphosis (replacement of missing parts by cell proliferation and the growth of new tissue) and morphallaxis (the remodelling of pre-existing structures without cell proliferation). The morphogenetic events during regenerative restoration include de novo formation of branchial crown, formation of thoracic segments and restoration of the posterior end. Asexual reproduction appears to play a crucial role for formation of P. reniformis aggregations and is very important for the population in the White Sea, at the margin of the species’ range.

Exploration of water jet generated by Q-switched laser induced water breakdown with different depths beneath a flat free surface

The dynamics of a water jet on a flat free surface are investigated using a nanosecond pulsed laser for creating an oscillating bubble with different depths beneath the free surface. A thin jet is shown to deform a crater surface resulted from surface depression and cause a circular ring-shaped crater on the connection surface between the crater of surface depression and the thin jet. The collapse of this circular ring-shaped crater is proposed to the crown-like formation around a thick jet. The evolution of the bubble depth suggests a classification of four distinctive ranges of the bubble depths: non-crown formation when the parameter of bubble depth over the maximum bubble radius γ ≤ 0.5, unstable crown formation when 0.5 ≤ γ ≤ 0.6, crown-like structure with a complete crown wall when 0.6 ≤ γ ≤ 1.1, and non-crown formation when 1.1 ≤ γ. Furthermore, the orientation of the crown wall gradually turns counterclockwise to vertical direction with increasing γ from 0.5 to 1.1, implying a high correlation between the orientation of the crown wall and the depth of the bubble. This correlation is explained and discussed by the directional change of the jet eruption from the collapse of circular ring-shaped crater.

EFFECTS OF DROP AND FILM VISCOSITY ON DROP IMPACTS ONTO THIN FILMS

While drop-film impacts have been studied extensively in the past, little thought has been given to separating the effects of the drop fluid properties and those of the film. Notably in the field of pool fire suppression, sprays impact pools consisting of different fluids, and both the spray properties and the pool properties will govern the resulting behavior [1, 2]. Distinguishing between the film and droplet’s effects will also provide insight into behaviors observed on more common same-liquid drop-film impacts. In this study, the central parameter examined is the fluid viscosity. Using various mixtures of water and glycerol, as well as FC-72, a range of kinematic viscosity covering 3 orders of magnitude (3.8E-7 to 1.1E-4 m 2 /s) is examined, while the surface tensions cover a smaller range, from 0.01 to 0.07 N∙m. A microliter valve creates mm-scale drops that freefall into the target film at velocities of 0.5 to 3.5 m/s, where a high speed video camera records the impact. The final parameter considered in this study is the ratio of pool depth to droplet diameter, which is examined in three regimes: 0.5 (shallow film), 1.0, and 3.0 (deep pool). This configuration covers Weber numbers from 20 – 3000 and Reynolds from 20 – 14000. The impact outcomes characterized are coalescence, crown formation, jetting, and splashing of the crown and the jet. These regimes have been defined by past work, and for the same film-droplet liquids they have been mapped to ranges of dimensionless numbers, primarily the Weber number. These dimensionless ranges are examined for differing liquid impacts. To correct for differing drop and film properties, alternative dimensionless criteria are suggested. These criteria are proposed in light of substrate effects in the shallow film regime as well as in the deep pool regime where bottom effects are lessened. Crown formation and subsequent crown splashing are shown to be governed by the viscosity and surface tension of the film, with minimal dependence on drop fluid properties. With a dimensionless pool depth (H* = pool depth/drop diameter) of 1, for every fluid examined, the critical Weber number for crown formation is on the order of 100 when pool density and surface tension are used. Applying the drop density and surface tension gives no apparent correlation between common dimensionless groups and observed behavior. In contrast, when characterizing the appearance of a post-impact Worthington jet, the drop’s properties play a much larger role, with a critical minimum Weber number utilizing drop surface tension and density between 50 and 200 resulting in the appearance of a jet. The impact outcomes in other pool depth regimes are explored, as well.

Disruption of Wnt/β-catenin Signaling in Odontoblasts and Cementoblasts Arrests Tooth Root Development in Postnatal Mouse Teeth

Tooth development undergoes a series of complex reciprocal interactions between dental epithelium and the underlying mesenchymal cells. Compared with the study in tooth crown formation, little is known about the molecular mechanism underlying the development of tooth roots. In the present study, we conditionally knock out β-catenin gene (Ctnnb1) within developing odontoblasts and cementoblasts during the development of tooth roots, and observed rootless molars as well as incomplete incisors. Histological analyses revealed intact structure of molar crown and labial side of incisor, however, as for the molar roots and the lingual portion of incisor, the formation of dentin and periodontal tissues were greatly hampered. In situ hybridization experiments using probes of odontoblastic marker genes collagen type I, alpha 1 (Col1a1), osteocalcin (OC) and dentin sialophosphoprotein (Dspp) manifested striking undifferentiation of root odontoblasts in which Ctnnb1 was eliminated. Bromodeoxyuridine (BrdU) labeling and proliferating cell nuclear antigen (PCNA) immunohistochemical experiments also showed retarded proliferation of pre-odontoblasts in mutant mice. However, cell apoptosis was not affected. Additionally, a disrupted formation of cementoblasts, suggested by the absence of transcripts of bone sialoprotein (Bsp) in follicle mesenchyme, was also evident in mutant mice. Our study provides strong in vivo evidence to confirm that Wnt/β-catenin signaling is functionally significant to root odontogenesis and cementogenesis during the tooth root development.

Characteristics of nonsyndromic supernumerary teeth in children and adolescents

'Supernumerary teeth' (ST) is a term used to describe extra teeth in both dentitions than those that we are predisposed to have and considered to be one of the most significant dental anomalies affecting children and adolescents. Diagnosis and management of ST is one of the main responsibilities of dentists and also physicians. The aims of this study were to document the prevalence, characteristics, and associated clinical complications of ST among children and adolescents and to summarize the management and intervention time for ST. Materials and methods: Thirteen deciduous ST in 13 patients and 219 permanent ST in 179 patients aged up to 18 years were included in this study (in total, 192 patients with 232 ST). Results: The general prevalence of ST determined in our study was 1.148% (deciduous ST: 0.077%, permanent ST: 1.07%). Boys (66%) were affected more frequently than girls (34%). Of the permanent ST, 183 (92%) were located in the maxilla and 56.8% were conical. Most of the ST were considered fully developed (134, 67.3%), while 60 (30.2%) had partial root formation with complete crown formation. Conclusion: ST can cause a variety of complications. Early diagnosis of ST facilitates early intervention, minimal complications, and more favorable prognosis.

Geometric Macrostructure Dimensions of the Apple Orchard Regarding the Crown Formation

The experimental plot is placed in the orchard “Codru - ST” Ltd. in the central part ofRepublic of Moldova in Straseni District, village Bucovat and was founded in 2000 with benchgrafting.Apple trees of the varieties Gala Must, Golden Reinders and Idared growth on dwarfingM9 rootstock, the distance of plantation between rows is 4.0 m, and between trees in the row is1.0 m. During 2001-2005, it was studied the degree of plantation surface coverage under crownprojection, the lateral surface of the crown, the crown volume production, the volumetric density andthe foliar index based on the formation of improved slender spindle crown. It was established thatmaximal values of area in valued crown projection, the lateral surface of the crown and the crownvolume production was recorded in 2005, when the tree crown formation was completed. In this case,the indicators have been studied, respectively, having the following values: 45-56%, from 14.40 to16.30 thousand m2/ha and 7.63 to 10.50 thousand m3/ha. The highest values, the study hints the GalaMust varieties, Idared and Golden Reinders. Volumetric density of the canopy is within the 0.63 to0.66, being considered a relatively optimal value. Leaf area index in relation to nutrition, at thevariants of training variants on the crown due to excessive distance of 4 m between rows of trees isfrom 1.41 to 1.87 and the crown projection surface is compared to 2.89 to 3.65. These values arewithin the requirements submitted to super intensive apple plantations.crown projection, foliar index, lateral surface, orchard, volumetric density

Permanent tooth mineralization in bonobos (Pan paniscus) and chimpanzees (P. troglodytes)

The timing of tooth mineralization in bonobos (Pan paniscus) is virtually uncharacterized. Analysis of these developmental features in bonobos and the possible differences with its sister species, the chimpanzee (P. troglodytes), is important to properly quantify the normal ranges of dental growth variation in closely related primate species. Understanding this variation among bonobo, chimpanzee and modern human dental development is necessary to better contextualize the life histories of extinct hominins. This study tests whether bonobos and chimpanzees are distinguished from each other by covariance among the relative timing and sequences of tooth crown initiation, mineralization, root extension, and completion. Using multivariate statistical analyses, we compared the relative timing of permanent tooth crypt formation, crown mineralization, and root extension between 34 P. paniscus and 80 P. troglodytes mandibles radiographed in lateral and occlusal views. Covariance among our 12 assigned dental scores failed to statistically distinguish between bonobos and chimpanzees. Rather than clustering by species, individuals clustered by age group (infant, younger or older juvenile, and adult). Dental scores covaried similarly between the incisors, as well as between both premolars. Conversely, covariance among dental scores distinguished the canine and each of the three molars not only from each other, but also from the rest of the anterior teeth. Our study showed no significant differences in the relative timing of permanent tooth crown and root formation between bonobos and chimpanzees.

Responses of different phytoelements to habitat light level and their dynamic convergence towards crown development of Aucuba japonica Thunb. var. japonica

We analyzed crown development in Aucuba japonica Thunb. var. japonica resulting from the responses of phytoelements to habitat light conditions over a long period of time. Over the years, the degree of extension unit (EU) dimorphism and the degree of anisophylly were higher under shaded conditions than in brighter conditions. An overall temporally increasing pattern in the degree of EU dimorphism was found while no clear-cut trend was found in the case of anisophylly. EU length and number of leaves per EU co-varied in a spatio-temporal context. The number of terminal buds and their sizes acted as the key initiators of morphological differences of phytoelements which were further amplified following bud break. Leaf area density was displayed mostly in the apex peripheral layer of the crown and the apex layer received most of the incident light. There was a tradeoff between annual leaf production and mean leaf size. Depending on the heterogeneity of irradiance level within a crown, correlative growth inhibition caused higher EU mortality at brighter sites. Due to high mortality, shorter EUs had a mere role in the construction of structural framework of the crown except for the formation of some gaps. There was a strong convergence of EU dimorphism, anisophylly, EU extension growth and variations in leaf size towards formation of functional crown to reduce potential self-shading. Depending on the irradiance level, Aucuba japonica Thunb. var. japonica showed two different modes of crown expansion. At the brighter sites, individual crown expansion was progressive while at the darker sites, individual crown expanded in a diminishing manner and maintained a stable size. A plant's "growth diminishing phase" appeared earlier at shaded sites than brighter sites.

Revisiting dental fluctuating asymmetry in neandertals and modern humans

Previous studies have suggested that Neandertals experienced greater physiological stress and/or were less capable of mitigating stress than most prehistoric modern human populations. The current study compares estimates of dental fluctuating asymmetry (DFA) for prehistoric Inupiat from Point Hope Alaska, the Late Archaic, and Protohistoric periods from Ohio and West Virginia, and a modern sample from Ohio to Neandertals from Europe and Southwest Asia. DFA results from developmental perturbation during crown formation and is thus an indicator of developmental stress, which previous studies have found to be higher in Neandertals than in several modern human populations. Here, we use recent methodological improvements in the analysis of fluctuating asymmetry suggested by Palmer and Strobeck (Annu Rev Ecol Syst 17 (1986) 391-421, Developmental instability: causes and consequences (2003a) v.1-v.36, Developmental instability: causes and consequences (2003b) 279-319) and compare the fit of Neandertal DFA Index values with those of modern humans. DFA estimates for each of the modern population samples exceeded measurement error, with the Inupiat exhibiting the highest levels of DFA for most tooth positions. All significant Neandertal z-scores were positive, exceeding the estimates for each of the modern prehistoric groups. Neandertals exhibited the fewest significant differences from the Inupiat (9.2% of values are significant at P < 0.05), while for the other modern prehistoric groups more than 10% of the Neandertal z-scores are significant at P < 0.05, more than 90% of these significant scores at P < 0.01. These results suggest that the Inupiat experienced greater developmental stress than the other prehistoric population samples, and that Neandertals were under greater developmental stress than all other prehistoric modern human samples.

Enamel extension rate patterns in modern human teeth: Two approaches designed to establish an integrated comparative context for fossil primates

Enamel extension rates (EERs), the rates at which ameloblasts differentiate, determine how fast tooth crowns grow in height. Studies of fossil primate (including hominin) enamel microstructure usually focus on species differences in enamel formation time, but they have also begun to address species-level variation in enamel extension rates. To improve our ability to compare EERs among primate species, a better understanding how EERs vary within species is necessary. Using a large and diverse modern human histological sample, we find that initial EERs and patterns of EER change along the enamel-dentine junction (EDJ) vary in relation to EDJ length. We also find that enamel formation time varies in relation to EDJ length, but that it does so independently of initial EERs. These results suggest that EDJ length variation within a species sample can affect interspecific comparisons not only of EERs but also of enamel formation times. Additionally, these results lend within-species support to the hypothesis, based on comparisons among hominin species, that EERs and crown formation times can vary independently (Dean, 2009). In a second approach, we analyzed EER changes specifically in the lateral enamel of two modern human population samples as these changes relate to the distribution of perikymata. As surface manifestations of internal enamel growth increments, perikymata provide a valuable source of information about enamel growth in fossils. We find that EER declines in the lateral enamel are associated with an increase in perikymata density from first to last-formed lateral enamel. Moreover, variation in the extent of EER decline among individuals is associated with variation in the distribution of perikymata along their enamel surfaces. These latter findings suggest that the distribution of perikymata on the enamel surface provides information about rates of EER decline in lateral enamel, at least in modern humans.

Brief Communication: Molar development and crown areas in earlyAustralopithecus

Recent studies suggest that the hypodigms representing the two earliest Australopithecus (Au. anamensis and Au. afarensis) form an ancestor-descendant lineage. Understanding the details of this possible transition is important comparative evidence for assessing the likelihood of other examples of ancestor-descendant lineages within the hominin clade. To this end we have analyzed crown and cusp base areas of high resolution replicas of the mandibular molars of Au. anamensis (Allia Bay and Kanapoi sites) and those of Au. afarensis (Hadar, Laetoli, and Maka). We found no statistically significant differences in crown areas between these hypodigms although the mean of M(1) crowns was smaller in Au. anamensis, being the smallest of any Australopithecus species sampled to date. Intraspecies comparison of the areas of mesial cusps for each molar type using Wilcoxon signed rank test showed no differences for Au. anamensis. Significant differences were found between the protoconid and metaconid of Au. afarensis M(2)s and M(3)s. Furthermore, the area formed by the posterior cusps as a whole relative to the anterior cusps showed significant differences in Au. afarensis M(1)s and in Au. anamensis M(2)s but no differences were noted for M(3)s of either taxon. Developmental information derived from microstructural details in enamel shows that M(1) crown formation in Au. anamensis is similar to Pan and shorter than in H. sapiens. Taken together, these data suggests that the overall trend in the Au. anamensis-Au. afarensis transition may have involved a moderate increase in M(1) crown areas with relative expansion of distal cusps.

Increase the Ingots Quality Cast in Vacuum

Most often, product quality is based on purity and homogeneity. To meet these conditions secondary metallurgy was developed including different methods for steel refining, but more important is the choice method of casting and its components. Casting metal melts is one of the key points that can ensure the desired product quality. Depending on the castings complexity, to obtain a high quality material several methods of casting have been developed. One of the most common methods of pouring large ingots is vacuum casting because the metal bath is protected from reoxidation. Another advantage of vacuum casting of steel ingots is achieving wide stream by injecting inert gas (Ar), this stimulates the floating of inclusions and prevents convection currents forming in the metal bath. This wide jet creates particularly advantageous conditions in the degassing process by increasing surface contact between vacuum and molten metal, managing to achieve maximum efficiency of removing gas and lowering the inclusion content. Like other methods of casting metals, besides the benefits of obtaining a quality material some disadvantages may influence the future products. One of the great disadvantages that can lead to scrap is the formation of a crown on the spray limiter during casting. Crowns get formed from non-metallic inclusions obtained from the "washing" the spray limiter. During ingot vacuum pouring because of the contact between steel and spray limiter pieces fall from the formed crown representing a powerful source of exogenous inclusions which can reject the finished product in non-destructive checks. Experimental research presents interesting information on the causes of crown formation and the solutions applied to avoid its formation.