Reasons to Get a Zirconia Crown

Several factors can make your teeth wear down or break. Tooth decay, injuries, and natural aging are among the leading causes of tooth damage.  Grinding your teeth, a crossbite, and chewing on hard objects might cause your teeth to lose their shape or reduce in size. Getting a zirconia crown won’t help grow your natural tooth back to health, but it’ll prevent further decay and improve the affected tooth’s appearance. Your dentist may use a dental crown to fix many oral problems. The most common are:

• Preventing fractures on a week tooth
• Keeping a tooth together when it’s in bad shape
• Improving the look of your smile
• Restoring a broken or worn-down tooth
• Improving your bite
• Covering large fillings, dental implants, and root canals
• Capping misshapen or discolored teeth

A 2021 study by the American Dental Association (ADA) revealed that 99% of dentists use this crystalline mineral for natural tooth restorations. The participants mentioned that this material has many advantages other than smoothness.

Types of Zirconia Used on Crowns

From all the ceramic variations available to date, dentists seem to have two favorites. They often prefer using framework zirconia and full-contour zirconia for dental work. Both options are viable alternatives to using porcelain-metal composites and full-metal blends. Framework zirconia is best for anterior and posterior multi-unit bridges. By masking this versatile material with porcelain or glass, it can look almost like a natural tooth. Full-contour zirconia works better as a monolithic restoration.

Benefits of Getting a Zirconia Crown

Zirconia is the most durable monolithic ceramic, which is a ceramic made without added materials. When comparing it to glass ceramics and dental composite, zirconia is more split-resistant, stiffer, and stronger. These properties hinder cracking and chipping, both on the surrounding teeth and the one underneath the crown. Zirconia has a better shielding capacity that can take higher loads without compromising the integrity of your smile.

Downsides of Using Zirconia for Dental Crowns

Although durable and gentle with other teeth, zirconia crowns have a couple of disadvantages. The material by itself isn’t easy to match with your real teeth. It requires coating it in other material blends to give a more natural look. According to a recent survey by the American Dentist Association, 57% of dentists have found this mineral to have translucency issues. Over 50% of respondents complained about debonding problems as well.

How Long Will a Zirconia Crown Last?

Most dental crowns last between five and fifteen years when treated with care. Their longevity will depend on your oral hygiene, among other personal habits. For example, if you grind your teeth in your sleep, you might need a replacement faster than someone who doesn’t. Other practices that will reduce your zirconia crown’s life expectancy include:

• Chewing ice
• Opening packages with your teeth
• Biting your nails
• Bad hygiene

Maintain a Healthy Smile

Innovation in restorative dental treatment materials allows for much more efficient procedures with longer-lasting results. When applied the right way, a zirconia crown can improve your overall oral health in a heartbeat. These common dentistry elements will keep your teeth in top shape and make you feel more confident in the process.

Much like any other material, zirconia has its advantages and disadvantages. Check with your dentist if a zirconia crown will work for you. To lower the chances of needing restorative dental procedures, take care of your smile by brushing your pearly whites at least twice a day.