What Is a Zirconia Dental Crown?

The use of zirconia dental crowns has become popular in the last few years and for many good reasons. They are highly durable and customizable to match natural teeth. Many people have little knowledge of this type of crown and are therefore hesitant to adopt it. Continue reading to learn more about zirconia dental crowns, as well as their benefits and drawbacks.

Overview of zirconia dental crowns

Zirconia is a white powdered metal oxide. It is classified under the titanium family and mined all over the world. It is a ceramic like most dental restoration materials. Zirconia is produced from zirconium, a metal that shares similar features with titanium. It is a good option for tooth restoration because it is biocompatible and chemically inert. Zirconia dental crowns are popular for their durability, especially for back teeth that are used for chewing and grinding food.

Benefits of zirconia dental crowns

This material has many properties that make it ideal for dental crowns. Some of the benefits include:

• Customizable – it is easy to modify the shape and color of the dental crown according to one’s preference
• It is identical to the natural teeth in terms of color and translucency
• No metal base is needed
• It resists stains better than composite, ceramic or acrylic crowns
• They are conservative – only a small layer of the tooth enamel is removed
• They handle cold and hot temperatures well, thus reducing the hypersensitivity that is common with other crown types
• They are highly durable – up to 5 times more durable than porcelain crowns.
• It can be layered with porcelain material to improve its aesthetic appeal further

Another benefit of zirconia is that the dental professional can fabricate them in the office. Since the dental crown is produced directly from blocks of zirconium, less equipment, material and time are needed to produce them, compared to other types of crowns such as porcelain crowns. Therefore, the dentist can make them in-office and perhaps in a day, saving the hassle of outsourcing to outside labs and reducing the number of dental appointments.

The drawbacks of zirconia dental crowns

Despite the many advantages of zirconia dental crowns, they are not perfect. The material is still relatively new, so there are fewer studies on it compared to other options. Improvements are still ongoing to enhance their color and outlook. Some of the disadvantages include:

• Reduced translucency – zirconia dental crowns are not as translucent as a traditional porcelain crown, which means the appearance might be a turn-off for some patients. Some dentists may recommend zirconia crowns for posterior teeth since they are less visible, and strength is crucial.
• Cost – zirconia is one of the more expensive dental crown options, but the cost typically varies depending on the dentist.
• Decay under the crown might be harder to detect

In conclusion

A zirconia dental crown might be an excellent choice for patients who need to repair or restore a damaged or decayed tooth. The crown is highly durable and can last a lifetime on the teeth with proper care and maintenance.

Request an appointment here: https://dragonflydentalportcharlotte.com or call Dragonfly Dental of Port Charlotte at (941) 676-9225 for an appointment in our Port Charlotte office.

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