What are Zirconia Crowns?
Overtime, our teeth can become worn down, or even crack or chip. When this happens, your dentist may recommend capping your damaged tooth with a dental crown. A dental crown can help to maintain the size, strength, shape, and appearance of the tooth. Crowns are generally made from one, or a mixture, of various materials. One of the most popular choices of materials for artificial crowns is zirconia. When deciding on the material of a crown, you and your dentist may want to consider multiple factors like how visible the tooth will be, the estimated cost of the treatment, the durability of the crown, and the final appearance. Below are some of the benefits and disadvantages of zirconia dental crowns.
Benefits of Zirconia
Zirconia is a sold white ceramic material that has the tooth-like appearance of porcelain and a strength similar to metal. Zirconia crowns are also continuously being developed to further improve their performance. A few benefits of zirconia crowns include:
- Appearance: Zirconia crowns are a similar color to natural teeth and can be easily shaped into a size and shape that matches the natural teeth.
- Durability: Zirconia crowns are strong enough to withstand everyday chewing.
- Ease of installation: Zirconia crowns can be made in the dentist's office and can be fitted and placed in just one appointment.
- Customizable fit: The zirconia crowns can be securely attached to your tooth with either bonding or cement, giving your dentist many options for installation.
- Biocompatible: Zirconia is biocompatible, meaning it won't cause any adverse reactions in your body.
Disadvantages of Zirconia
Although there are many benefits to consider, zirconia crowns do have some downsides too. Here are a few of the disadvantages of zirconia to consider:
Transparency: zirconia is less transparent than real teeth. This transparency may be noticeable if you are replacing a tooth in the front of your mouth.
Strength: there are times when a tooth can be a little too strong. If your dental professional wants to adjust your crown the strength of zirconia could make this work a challenge.
Oral Hygiene With a Zirconia Crown
Regardless of which material your dental crown is made of, practicing good oral hygiene is essential to maintaining the crown and the health of the other teeth in your mouth. Patients with dental crowns should brush at least twice a day, floss at least once a day, and consider using antimicrobial mouth rinses. Regular professional dental cleanings and exams also play an important role in keeping your teeth white and bacteria-free and ensuring your crown is healthy.
If your dental provider recently suggested you should consider a dental crown, you may be wondering what type of crown is right for you. The best place to start is to have a conversation with your provider about your specific oral health needs, like the location of the damaged tooth in your mouth, the function of that tooth, the cost of treatment, and the aesthetic you hope to achieve. Then, together, you and your provider will decide on a crown material that is right for you.