Advantages of Zirconia Dental Crowns
Dental crowns are commonly used to strengthen a natural tooth that has become weak, fractured, or broken. Zirconia dental crowns are quickly becoming one of the most popular dental crown choices among dental providers in the United States. This is because zirconia offers many advantages over the alternative dental crown materials. Below is more information on zirconium and the many advantages of zirconia dental crowns.
What is a Zirconium?
Zirconium is a metal derivative that has numerous favorable qualities. Zirconium is known for being long-lasting and incredible durable. In addition to its strength and durability, zirconium is also biocompatible, meaning it works well with the human body, making it popular in the medical field. Zirconia crowns were first used in dental practice in 2010. Since then they have become increasingly popular due to their resistance to wear and indestructible qualities. Additionally, unlike porcelain crowns that have a metal frame, zirconia crowns don’t require any metal substructure for stability, often resulting in a more aesthetically pleasing appearance.
The Advantages of Zirconia Crowns
Dental crowns are commonly used in a variety of dental procedures, from strengthening or repairing one tooth, anchoring a dental bridge, or completely replacing a tooth with a dental implant post. Traditionally, porcelain and gold materials were used to make dental crowns. Porcelain crowns offer a more natural look, but porcelain is known to crack or chip, and gold crowns are the least expensive but less attractive option. Zirconia crowns provide a natural look with unparalleled strength and durability. Some of the major advantages of zirconia dental crowns include:
- Biocompatibility: The body won’t reject zirconia like it may with some other materials. Zirconia is biocompatible offering lower chances of infections, complications, pain, discomfort, and allergic reactions.
Effectively cover damaged teeth: Zirconia crowns can be easily used to cover up and hide tooth damage caused by staining or fractures. - Durability: Zirconia is nearly indestructible, meaning it can handle even the most vigorous chewing and biting activities. Zirconia crowns are believed to be three to five times as strong as porcelain crowns. They are also resistant to extreme hot and cold temperatures.
- Longevity: Even though they are fairly new, providers believe that zirconia crowns last longer than porcelain crowns. It is estimated that with proper care zirconia crowns can last at least 10 years up to several decades.
- Easy to work with: Zirconia crowns can be easily shaped and appropriately sized to match the patient’s other natural teeth. The right shape, size and color produces a more natural look for the patient.
- Less tooth preparation: It is common before a crown is installed for a layer of the original tooth to be filed down and removed to make sure the crown will fit properly. Zirconia crowns are thinner, meaning less of the original tooth will need to be removed to get the right fit.
Natural appearance: Zirconia crowns have a translucent appearance, allowing for the provider to identify the perfect tooth coloring to match the patient’s natural tooth color.