Contemporary patients and dentists prefer natural-looking aesthetics and frequently choose beautiful zirconia crowns. Despite being considered a ceramic metal, zirconia has more metal-like qualities. There are two crown types used in various scenarios: one for cosmetic purposes and another for situations involving high stress. Zirconium crowns have gained popularity only in the past six years. However, within this short period, they have nearly replaced the previously super strong all-gold versions.
For almost 2600 years, dental crowns have played a huge role in both restorative and cosmetic dentistry. From ancient times up until the early 20th century, people seeking tooth crowns were limited to choosing an alloy of gold or other malleable metals. While metal caps last for a long time and do not harm neighboring teeth, they are highly conspicuous.
What is a zirconia dental crown?
Zirconia dental crowns are made from zirconium dioxide, which is a ceramic material in the form of a white powdered substance. The ceramic properties, combined with its milling from a single block, make it a strong dental prosthetic.
The strength of zirconia enables the creation of dental crowns that are thinner compared to those made from metals. This necessitates the removal of only a minimal amount of healthy tooth tissue during the placement process. Retaining as much of the natural tooth as possible is always our priority in the maintenance of a healthy smile for many years to come.
The ceramic properties of zirconia, and its natural white color, make it a relatively easy match to the rest of your smile. Zirconia comes in various forms, each with its different level of translucency. Your dentist can choose the one that best matches your natural teeth.
Solid or Layered Zirconia?
Solid zirconia, also known as “monolithic zirconia”, is opaque, making it a recommended choice for a posterior crown. This type of zirconia contains more stabilizers, enhancing its durability to withstand the forces of chewing and grinding. It is particularly suitable for individuals who may grind their teeth. Solid zirconia requires only minimal clearance for this type of restoration and causes minimal wear on opposing teeth. It is highly effective in masking discolored dental preps with discoloration, especially those that have darkened due to previous dental treatments, such as post and core or implant-supported restorations.
Layered zirconia is more translucent and opalescent compared to solid zirconia, making it an excellent choice for anterior crowns. While layered zirconia is used for anterior crowns, it can also be utilized for posterior crowns if there is adequate clearance. When done skillfully, layered zirconia can deliver pleasing aesthetic results. Both solid and layered zirconia crowns offer strength and consistency comparable to traditional porcelain-fused-to-metal (PFM) restorations, yet they offer far superior aesthetics.
Zirconia HT
Zirconia HT (High Translucent) has a higher strength of 590-720 MPa compared to porcelain-fused-to-metal (PFM) restorations and maintains a natural and vibrant translucency.
The product is free of metal, eliminating the risk of gingival darkening and the exposure of metallic margins in the event of gingival recession. They are naturally aesthetic, allow the transmission of color from adjacent teeth, and can be matched to any shade, making high-translucent zirconia suitable for bridges up to 3 units in length.
Utilizing Zirconia HT can lead to time savings for patients, as there is no need for shading liquids and drying time, saving more than three hours. Additionally, thanks to its inherent natural fluorescence, restorations made with Zirconia HT appear natural in any lighting condition, whether it is daylight, sunshine, or black light.
Safer for your patients
Zirconia has high biocompatibility, which means it does not cause allergic reactions in patients who may be sensitive to the alloys used in porcelain-fused-to-metal (PFM) restorations. Quite a few dental patients experience allergies to the metal components used in PFM crowns. If a patient has such allergies, it is an indication that zirconia should be considered for their restorations. The excellent biocompatibility of zirconia ensures that crowns and bridges prepared from this material are highly safe for clinical use.
Benefits of Zirconia Crowns
Increased Strength and Durability
One of the challenges in the field of dentistry is to make sure the use of biocompatible material in restorative procedures can withstand the forces exacted during chewing. Zirconia provides higher strength than porcelain and other types of crowns, offering up to five times greater strength. This makes zirconia an excellent choice for patients who have a history of fractured, cracked, or broken crowns made from other materials. Patients who bite their nails or grind their teeth, whether consciously or during sleep, may experience compromised stability of their crowns. Zirconia can better withstand these pressures, which means less need for additional reconstruction on these prosthetics in the future.
Better Stain Resistance
Zirconia can resist staining much better compared to composite ceramic or acrylic crowns, making it important to dental patients who prioritize a natural-looking smile. It can resist stains caused by coffee, tea, wine, and nicotine. However, it should be noted that over time, color adjustments may be required. This can be due to changes in the natural teeth caused by staining or aging, or if they are whitened to a lighter shade.
Original Tooth Preservation
Unlike other types of crowns, which may require an amount of natural tooth structure to be removed for optimal fit, zirconia crowns need less removal of the natural tooth. This means that there is much more preservation of the natural tooth which allows for the retention of healthy tooth structure and ensures overall dental health. The preservation of natural teeth is a priority for dental professionals.
Hypoallergenic Properties
Zirconia offers excellent compatibility with the human body, making it suitable for several medical applications. There is a lower chance of a patient experiencing an allergic reaction to zirconia, which reduces the potential for rejection. Some individuals may have a sensitivity to specific metals and materials. In such cases, the use of zirconia can help avoid pain, infection, and additional tooth or jaw bone loss. Zirconia crowns, being metal-free and biocompatible, are well-tolerated by even patients with high sensitivity levels.
Natural Appearance
Although zirconia gives a natural appearance due to its color and translucency, it may not always be a good choice for visible teeth. It is better suitable for posterior teeth, which are located further back in the mouth. However, if a seamless appearance is wanted for front teeth, zirconia can be layered with porcelain to enhance its aesthetic appeal, which is something that dental patients will appreciate each time they flash their smiles.
Temperature Resistance
The ability to resist hypersensitivity caused by hot and cold temperatures can help protect the zirconia crowns. Zirconia crowns minimize the transfer of extreme temperature fluctuations, unlike some other types of crowns. This reduces the potential for discomfort in the patient’s mouth when consuming cold or hot food and beverages.
Easily Modified
Zirconia is easy to alter, modify and shape according to specific requirements. If necessary, the color of zirconia can be recolored to get a perfect match with the patient’s natural teeth. This also means that there is the ability to get a perfect coloration and aesthetic blend for the dental patient.
Fast Turnaround
Since zirconia crowns are made from prefabricated blocks, they can be prepared and turned around more efficiently compared to certain other materials. By submitting your prescription, measurements, and requirements to a service like Sky-Cad, the processing, and delivery of the crown can be extended for a long time, meaning that patients do not have to be left waiting with temporary crowns.
The Perfect Fit
We use digital scans to mill zirconia crowns, ensuring a perfect fit for each patient. This process not only ensures the comfort of the patient but also helps ensure that the patient isn’t waiting for months due to adjustments. Digital scans are efficient, resulting in the production of durable and functional crowns that patients rightfully deserve.
Which Type of Cap is Best for You?
The right type of crown for you depends on several factors, including its placement in your mouth, the condition being addressed, your lifestyle, and your budget. For example, all-porcelain crowns provide the best aesthetics as the material used contains silica, which mimics the light-reflecting in the same way as the natural tooth enamel.
Traditional porcelain caps can be prone to chipping, fracturing, and accumulating stains over time, or if they are exposed to excessive force or stress. Furthermore, certain types of porcelain caps, such as those from feldspathic ceramic, require the skills of ceramists and are a higher-end option.
Zirconium Crowns
Zirconia crowns are known for their hardness and strength. They are so strong they have been known to cause damage to the opposing natural teeth. Care must be taken to prevent excessive wear on the neighboring enamel. As a result, dentists prefer to place zirconia crowns in the posterior region of the mouth where greater strength is required compared to the front teeth.
Zirconium Dental Crowns: Points to Ponder
When considering zirconium dental crowns, it is important to consider several factors to determine if they are the right choice for you. Here are some key points to ponder:
- Cost: While zirconium crowns provide superior aesthetics and durability they come with a higher price compared to other options like metal-ceramic crowns. Ensure to weigh the benefits of zirconia crowns against the cost to determine if they fit your specific needs and budget.
- Adjustments and repairs: Zirconia is a durable material, which can make it more challenging to adjust or repair. Special tools and techniques are required to make any necessary changes to zirconium crowns. In the event of damage, a zirconia crown might need to be replaced entirely.
- Wear on opposing teeth: Due to the strength and durability of zirconia, it can be a double-edged sword. Its hardness may cause heightened wear when biting or chewing. However, dentists address this issue by polishing zirconia crowns to create a smooth surface, reducing friction with the opposing teeth.
- Dentist’s expertise: Crafting and placing zirconia crowns require precision and skill to achieve the best result. It is important to choose a dentist who has experience and expertise in working with zirconia.
- Not a one-size-fits-all solution: Zirconia crowns offer many benefits, but they may not be suitable for every dental restoration. In situations with limited space, your dentist may recommend alternative types of dental crowns, such as all-porcelain or porcelain-fused-to-metal (PFM) crowns.
What to expect at the dentist?
The process of tooth restoration with a dental crown involves two appointments. During the first appointment, your dentist will prepare the tooth by removing any unhealthy tissue and shaping the tooth to fit the crown. Depending on the health of the tooth, a minimal amount of healthy tissue may require removal as well. After, an impression of your bite will be taken and sent to a laboratory for fabrication. Once the impression is taken, a temporary crown will be placed to protect the treated tooth.
Using the impression of your bite, the laboratory will create a dental crown that fits the size and shape of your tooth. A lab technician will craft the crown from a solid block of zirconia to ensure a seamless match with your natural smile. Once the dental office receives the completed crown, you can come in for your second appointment.
During the second appointment, the placement will be completed. Your dentist will remove the temporary crown and clean the underlying tooth and surrounding area. The dental crown will then be bonded to your natural tooth using dental cement. After the crown is placed, your dentist will ensure it fits your bite comfortably, making any minor adjustments as needed.
Once your dentist has ensured that the dental crown fits well, you can go back to your regular daily activities while showing off your renewed, healthy smile.
While zirconia may not be the first type of material considered for dental crowns, it has gained popularity due to its ideal pairing of structural and aesthetic qualities. As a dependable and long-lasting dental prosthetic, zirconia crowns are our preferred choice for natural-looking smiles. At our practice, our philosophy is to maintain the preservation of our patient’s natural tooth structure when restoring their smiles, and zirconia crowns do just that.
When to Get a Zirconia Crown
There are several situations you may need the placement of a dental crown on your tooth, such as:
- Covering a cracked or chipped tooth
- Protecting and reshaping a tooth after a root canal
- Covering a dental implant
- Filling a gap or space caused by a missing tooth with a dental bridge
- Covering a hole left by a big cavity with a regular filling
Zirconia, known for its strength, can improve your bite, enhance your appearance, and protect natural teeth from future damage.
The Bottom Line
Zirconia crowns can offer advantages in terms of strength and durability. They provide the convenience of requiring fewer dental visits and eliminating the need for temporary crowns. These types of crowns are suitable for posterior teeth, as the color may not match natural teeth, although they are better when compared to metal crowns. Although zirconia crowns may cost more, they require less frequent replacement. To know whether a zirconia crown is appropriate for your specific situation, it is best to talk to your dentist.
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