Zirconia crowns
Dr. Atanas Nikolov / 16.07.2023
Why Choose Zirconia?
Zirconium dental crowns offer several advantages that contribute to their popularity as a tooth restoration option. Here are some of the main advantages of zirconia dental crowns:
1.Durability: Zirconium crowns are known for their exceptional strength and durability. They are highly resistant to chipping, cracking and wear, making them suitable for both front and back teeth.
2.Aesthetics: Zirconia crowns have a natural appearance that closely resembles natural teeth. They are translucent and can be color-matched to blend seamlessly with surrounding teeth, providing excellent aesthetics and a seamless smile
3.Biocompatibility: Zirconia is a biocompatible material, meaning it is compatible with the human body and does not cause allergic reactions or adverse tissue reactions. This makes zirconium crowns suitable for people with allergies or metal sensitivities.
4. Conservative tooth preparation: Zirconium crowns require minimal tooth preparation compared to some other types of crowns, preserving more of the natural tooth structure. This conservative approach can help maintain the overall health of the tooth.
5. Longevity: With proper care and maintenance, zirconia crowns can last for many years. Their excellent durability and wear resistance contribute to their long-term success as dental restorations.
Types of Zirconium Crowns?
Crowns made of zirconium are divided into two groups.
The first type is a cap (base) made of zirconium dioxide, which replaces metal in metal-ceramic crowns. This base is extremely strong, which makes it also suitable for back teeth, where the forces are greater. On this base, ceramics are manually applied, with which exceptional aesthetics are achieved, completely indistinguishable from a natural tooth in terms of color, transparency and shape.
The second type is made solely of zirconium dioxide. There is no additional application of ceramics. They are made using modern technology called CAD/CAM (computer-aided design/computer-aided manufacturing). The raw material arrives in the form of discs or blocks, which are placed in special machines that mill them with microscopic precision. The crowns are then put through a process called sintering to reach their maximum strength. Modern zirconium-based materials are produced with pre-separated layers of different color, which allows achieving good aesthetics, even without applying ceramics.
When do we use zirconia crowns?
Restoring teeth with crowns may be necessary in case of severely decayed teeth, broken off of a large part of the crown of the tooth, wear and other conditions. When a tooth is missing, a bridge can be made that is held to the adjacent teeth by wrap-around crowns.
Are there any limitations?
It is important to note that while zirconia crowns have numerous advantages, the choice of crown material depends on various factors. It is best to consult with a dental professional to determine the most appropriate option for your specific dental needs.
Disadvantages
The main disadvantage of zirconium crowns is their high cost. It is due to the complex methodology and expensive equipment required for their production. The cost of raw material is also significantly higher than that of conventional crown fabrication materials.
