Four Reasons Why Zirconia is the Best Choice for Dental Crowns
You probably wouldn’t think too much about dental crowns until you are faced with needing one. If you do need a dental crown, there are quite a few different varieties of dental crown materials on the market to choose from. At TruDentistry of Tigard, we use a variety of different crown materials that cater to our patient’s needs. However, in this article, we will explain why zirconia is our most used material for making dental crowns.
What is a Zirconia Crown?
Zirconia crowns are a ceramic material made from Zirconium dioxide and this is by far the strongest and most durable of all other ceramic crown materials. Its durability and stress endurance have proven zirconia to be one of the best choices for full-coverage dental restorations.
The Benefits of a Zirconia Crown
Zirconia is made to withstand the pressure and to hold up to the wear and tear of chewing and biting without risk of cracking or breaking off. Other crown materials such as porcelain simply cannot hold up as well, they are not as strong, and they do not have the same durability as the makeup of the Zirconia material.
Biocompatibility
Zirconia is biocompatible with the human body which means that the Zirconia material can be used without any adverse reactions to the patient. It is hypoallergenic and is very safe for anyone who requires a crown.
Aesthetics
The beauty of Zirconia crowns is the way that they look. They are the most natural-looking choice, and they blend in with surrounding teeth seamlessly. The components used in making Zirconia crowns offer a translucent quality that allows light to pass through in the same way that natural teeth do. This provides the best approach to keeping your smile looking natural. The other aesthetic quality is the ability to customize and control the balance of color so that we can get an exact match to the existing teeth, giving you a very natural-looking smile.
Long Lasting Qualities
When you take proper care, Zirconia crowns can last for a very long time. They are very resistant to the daily wear and tear we do when eating, and they are very durable against cracks and chips. Other types of crowns can require more frequent replacements.
Let’s look at a comparison between Zirconia and other types of crown material.
Porcelain-fused crowns, even though they are still a popular choice for dental restorations, are not the best-looking choice as they can appear to be dull looking. In addition to that, they are opaque in their makeup which prevents light to pass through them, giving them a less natural look. They are also more prone to chips and cracks.
Metal crowns have been the most popular material used in dental restorations for many decades. However, they are not the most attractive as the metal can be visible. Over time, the metal substructure will show by giving the crowns the appearance of having a black line along the margin.
Zirconia Dental Crown Procedure
There are a few different types of procedures that zirconia is preferred.
We can use the crown to cover a damaged or infected tooth by first removing the damage or decay. Then we digitally scan the area to make an impression of the area to ensure an exact fit.
We can use Zirconia crowns to create a bridge that will fill in the gap from a missing tooth. A dental bridge is made in the lab to match the space in your mouth and is attached to the teeth on either side of the missing tooth.
We also use Zirconia crowns in finishing the dental implant process. The crown is attached to the implant.
After a root canal, the affected tooth can be restored with a Zirconia crown.
These crowns are also used for the purpose of cosmetic dentistry. When you want to enhance the look of your smile these crowns can improve the appearance of discoloration, gaps, and misshapen teeth, and at the same time, offer a very natural appearance.
It is safe to say, you cannot get a better-looking dental crown than a Zirconia crown. It will not cause any adverse effects due to the biocompatibility nature of Zirconia. They are incredibly strong and look more like natural teeth than any other crown material choice.
If you are in need of any type of restorative or cosmetic dental treatment, we will be happy to consult with you. We can schedule a consultation and offer you options for a better smile.