What Are the Benefits of Zirconia Crown?
Preservation of the original tooth
Other types of crowns placed to protect natural teeth may require removal of a portion of the tooth to ensure an optimal fit. Other, otherwise healthy teeth surrounding the crowned tooth may also need to be prepared before the crown can be placed. With zirconia crowns, not as much of the natural tooth needs to be removed. This means that the natural, healthy teeth are much better preserved, which can contribute greatly to overall dental health. Preserving the natural tooth is often the dentist’s priority.
Zirconia is much more resistant to staining than ceramic or acrylic crowns. This is important for dental patients for whom a natural-looking smile is a priority. It resists discoloration from coffee, tea, wine and nicotine. Crown color adjustment may be necessary over time as natural teeth change due to discoloration or age, or as they lighten to a much lighter shade.
Increased strength and durability
One of the greatest challenges in the dental field is the use of biocompatible materials that can withstand the pressure of chewing. Zirconia offers much greater strength than porcelain, up to five times greater than porcelain and other types of crowns. This makes zirconia a good choice for dental patients who have had crowns made of other materials fracture, crack or otherwise break in the past. Patients who bite their nails or grind their teeth, whether consciously or while sleeping, may find that the stability of crowns is compromised. Zirconia is better able to withstand these stresses, which means fewer additional reconstructions will be needed on these dentures in the future.
While the color and translucency of zirconia give it a much more natural appearance, allowing it to blend in well with natural teeth, it is not always a good choice for teeth that are highly visible. It is better suited for teeth that are further back in the mouth, unless it is coated with porcelain to create a seamless look that better matches the front teeth. This improved esthetic is something dental patients will appreciate every time they smile broadly.
Hypoallergenic properties
Zirconia offers high compatibility with the human body, which is why this material can be used in a number of medical applications. The likelihood of a patient having an allergic reaction to zirconia is much lower, which of course helps to prevent potential rejection. Some patients are sensitive to certain metals and materials. Infection or rejection can lead to pain, infection, and additional tooth or jawbone loss. Zirconia crowns are metal-free and have a biocompatible composition that is well tolerated even by patients with the highest sensitivity.
Zirconia is easy to modify, shape as you need, and can be recolored to perfectly match existing natural teeth if the coloring needs to be changed. This also means that the patient gets a perfect comfort and bite.
The ability to better withstand hot and cold temperatures can help prevent hypersensitivity that is common with other crowns. Zirconia crowns have low thermal conductivity and do not transmit extreme temperature fluctuations like other crowns. This means there is less risk of discomfort in the patient’s mouth when eating ice-cold treats or drinking hot beverages.