What are Zirconia Crowns?
If you are missing one or more teeth or molars, a zirconium or porcelain implant in combination with a crown may be a good solution for you. Missing teeth and/or molars can have various causes, such as tooth decay or an accident. An implant is a kind of artificial root that is screwed into the jawbone by the dental implantologist. A crown or bridge is then placed on the implant to replace the lost tooth.
When you think of dental implants, you may immediately think of titanium implants. But did you also know that there are several alternatives to titanium implants? For example, it is possible that you are allergic to titanium or that you prefer to opt for organic solution. In that case, porcelain or zirconium implants can be a good alternative. It strongly depends on your personal situation and needs what is the best solution for you. Here, we are discussing Zirconia Crowns.
Zirconium is a hard, solid material, the oxides of which have been used in dentistry since the 1990s to replace various metals and metal alloys. Zirconium crowns, which guarantee the highest level of quality and are considered top-quality dentures, can be used as a reconstruction measure both in the anterior region and in the molars. They are ideally suited as implant-supported crowns and are also massive enough for bridge constructions.
A zirconia framework that is completely metal-free is still strong enough to withstand the stress of daily chewing and, as will be discussed later, this material also offers unparalleled aesthetics. It is no coincidence that this solution is recommended by most dentists, as a zirconium crown meets all requirements: the chewing function can be perfectly restored, and you do not have to do without the long-awaited, bright white Hollywood smile.
The advantages of zirconium crowns
If you wanted to list the advantages of zirconium crowns, aesthetics and durability would be at the top of the list. The aesthetics are due, on the one hand, to the white zirconium oxide framework and, on the other hand, to the translucent ceramic veneer, which appears natural after firing and looks very similar to real teeth.
Thanks to CAD / CAM technology and a precisely fitting shoulder preparation, the crown fits perfectly on the tooth stump, and since the whole thing works completely without metal, the risk of a metal allergy is zero. No discolored gums, no gray tones, just perfect optics.
This solution can prevent the development of secondary caries, which in the end not only means a solution that is adapted to the rest of the teeth, but also a safe, long-lasting denture.
And that brings us to the second point: the second advantage is clearly the longevity. Zirconium oxide is a chemically resistant material with high flexural strength that is much stronger than the framework of the metal-ceramic crowns. Zirconium crowns are therefore more durable because they neither burst, nor splinter or crack.
These properties make it possible that zirconium crowns, in contrast to the all-ceramic crowns, can be used as desired. Thanks to their extreme hardness, they are also suitable for bridging a major lack of teeth.