Advantages of Zirconia Crowns
A popular way of using dental crowns is in combination with a dental implant. This type of restoration is commonly used to replace missing teeth or teeth which cannot be repaired. Crowns can also act as an anchor for partial dentures or a dental bridge.
In the past, porcelain or gold were commonly used for creating a crown. One major benefit of porcelain is its natural appearance. Unfortunately, porcelain is also more likely to chip. While gold crowns are typically more affordable, they do not have a natural appearance. It is also more common for the patient to experience an allergic reaction to a gold crown.
Zirconia crowns are relatively new and quickly gaining popularity in the dental industry. They provide patients with an incredibly strong material, are attractive in their appearance and help avoid allergic reactions.
Zirconium is a type of an incredibly strong crystal which has numerous benefits as used in a dental setting. Benefits of crystal include its durability, long life expectancy, and indestructible strength. Along with its strength and durability, zirconium is also biocompatible and easily accepted by the human body, making it an excellent product for use in medical and dental products. Below are some of the main advantages of zirconium crowns.
Biocompatible
Zirconia is considered to be biocompatible, meaning it will not be rejected by the body. Because the material is easily accepted, infections, complications, pain, discomfort, and allergic reactions are all quite rare.
Durable
Because zirconium is made of crystal, it is nearly indestructible. Zirconium crowns can withstand daily activities and forces associated with chewing and biting. Zirconium has nearly five times the amount of strength compared to porcelain. The method which is used to mill zirconium crowns is such that it is incredibly difficult to damage and an extreme amount of force is required. These crowns are resilient to both cold and hot temperatures which aids in preventing tooth sensitivity. Increased sensitivity can be quite common in crowns made from other materials. Zirconium crowns also last longer because the material is effective in resisting cracks and chips.
Customized
Zirconium crowns are easy for the dentist to shape, size and adjust the color. This customization helps ensure the crown closely matches the adjacent natural teeth.
Appearance
It is common for patients to choose zirconium over porcelain for tooth restorations which have endured damage from a stain or fracture. The dentist can adjust zirconia to closely match the patient’s natural teeth. Zirconium crowns are made from crystal, making them translucent. This clear and translucent appearance allows the crown to better match the natural teeth. This type of crown far exceeds the appearance of gold and even porcelain.
No Metal
Crowns which are made from gold and porcelain both contain metal. However, zirconium crowns do not contain any metal or the unattractive metal base. The metal base commonly makes traditional crowns less desirable and more visible at the gum line.
Natural Teeth
During the placement of a crown, the dentist typically needs to remove a portion of the natural tooth in order to accommodate the crown and ensure a good fit. Due to the strength and durability of zirconia, the dentist is able to remove just a thin layer of the natural tooth.
Zirconia crowns are an excellent tooth restoration option for patients which offers durability, strength, comfort, and appearance similar to the natural teeth. Follow up with your dentist to determine if you may be a good candidate for a zirconia crown restoration.