Dental crowns are one of many treatments in restorative and cosmetic dentistry. They are a suitable treatment option for people whose teeth suffer damage like chipping, breaking, and more. The thing about dental crowns is that dentists can make them up from multiple materials that have their unique advantages. The zirconia crown is one available dental crown in modern dentistry.
Because zirconia is an entirely different chemical compound from metal, resin, ceramic, or others, it has its special applications as well as pros and cons.
What is a zirconia crown?
A zirconia crown is a specific type of dental crown. A brief explanation of dental crowns would be that they’re dental prosthetics that look exactly like teeth. In other words, they’re caps with a hollow inside and an exterior surface that looks like a tooth.
Zirconia is zirconia dioxide, a metal oxide with tetragonal crystalline properties.
As we have mentioned above, dental crowns can be one of several materials. Typically when it comes to choosing the right material, factors such as your financial abilities, allergies, preferences, and your dentist’s recommendation all go into the process.
4 facts about the zirconia crown
The chemical properties of zirconia give it exceptional benefits and applications in dental practices.
1- Strength and the zirconia crown
One of the most important characteristics of the zirconia crown is its strength. The tetragonal crystalline structure of zirconia gives it the highest strength compared to other materials. For instance, zirconia has 5 times the strength of ceramic which is also famous for its durability.
Therefore, when it comes to chipping and breaking resistance, the zirconia crown takes the lead.
2- Best for back teeth
If you want to get a crown for your back teeth, zirconia is the best material. Your posterior teeth exert and handle the most pressure and force from the action of chewing. For this reason, the strength of the prosthetic plays an essential role in the success of your treatment.
Materials like resin or ceramic for instance will not handle the pressure and will chip much sooner than zirconia.
3- Tailored Craftsmanship over CAD/CAM Technology
While CAD/CAM technology is advancing dental practices with its efficient, digital design and production process, zirconia crowns stand out due to the traditional craftsmanship involved in their creation. Unlike ceramic crowns, which are seamlessly produced using CAD/CAM systems, zirconia crowns require a more hands-on approach.
This ensures that each crown is carefully crafted to match the unique needs of the patient. This personalized process often enhances the overall durability and visual appeal of the final restoration.
4- Biocompatible
Another great feature that comes with the zirconia crown is its biocompatibility. The material has a very low rate chance of triggering an immunological response or in other words an allergic reaction. Several studies confirm the safety of using zirconia in dentistry.
Zirconia crown vs ceramic crown
Both zirconia and ceramic are the most popular crown material in dentistry. When it comes to strength, zirconia takes the crown. However, when it comes to aesthetics, ceramic easily takes the lead.
This is why most people will opt for ceramic if they need a dental crown in a visible region. There are certain ceramic brands such as the E-max crown that provide insanely natural results.
In the case of the e-max crowns, the structure of the compound and the layering of the material to make the crown occurs in a very specific way. The aim of this careful design is to achieve crowns that transmit light naturally.
That being said, zirconia also provides impressive results that look natural as well.
Read also : Types of dental crowns and cost
Cost of zirconia crowns
The cost of a zirconia crown will depend on where you choose to go for treatment. Most people seek dental procedures in the UK, the USA, and Turkey.
So you should expect a zirconia crown to cost anywhere between $200 to $300 in Turkey. The price range includes a package of luxury services, x-ray imaging, and consultation fees.
In the UK and the USA, the price of a zirconia crown would be anywhere between $670 – $900 and $1000 – $2500 respectively. But unlike Turkey, the price ranges above are only for one zirconia crown. So for more services such as consultation, x-ray imaging, or any use of the clinic facilities, the dental clinic will charge you additionally.
How long do zirconia crowns last?
The zirconia crown has a longevity of 7-8 years with proper aftercare. Of course, you should note that the aftercare process is nothing special and will not require a lot of precaution from you.
All you need to do is maintain a proper oral hygiene routine. Brush twice daily, use anti-bacterial mouthwash, and floss regularly to maintain your oral health and the quality of your prosthetic.
Are zirconia crowns toxic?
No zirconia crowns are very biocompatible and do not contain any toxins. However, a very small percentage of patients may have an allergic reaction to it.
But you should not worry because your dentist will take all the necessary precautions to ensure that the crown material is compatible with you.
Can zirconia crowns be whitened?
The current whitening procedures in dentistry only work with the enamel, which is the outer layer of your teeth. The enamel happens to be a porous membrane and due to its structure, many pigmenting materials can get stuck underneath it.
Whitening techniques such as zoom teeth whitening use special materials to access the pores and remove the stains. Unfortunately, since zirconia is a non-porous membrane, your smile can only be as white as your prosthetics are.
On the other hand, you can opt for regular teeth cleaning to remove any plaque buildup around the zirconia crown.
