Zirconia
Crowns

Dental crown is one of the common temporary tooth restoration procedures that helps to hide decayed, severely discolored, chipped, cracked, weak, broken, misshapen teeth, etc. A crown helps maintain the size, shape, and strength of the natural tooth.

When a tooth is damaged or decayed enough to require a crown, you have many options for crown material. Traditionally, crowns were made from a mixture of metal and ceramic. These days, zirconia crowns are gaining popularity due to their durability and natural appearance.

What is a Zirconium Crown
Made of?

Zirconia crowns are made of zirconium oxide. This is a strong material that is compatible with the body. For some patients who cannot tolerate metal, this material is the best option.

Zirconia dental crowns can be either solid or layered.

Solid zirconia crowns (also called monolithic zirconia) are best used on molars. The appearance is more opaque, but the strength of solid zirconia dental crowns is good for hard chewing surfaces. Patients who grind their teeth are also good candidates for this type of zirconia crown.

Layered zirconia crowns are the most natural-looking option. These are easy to match to adjacent teeth and still offer superior strength and durability. Layered zirconia dental crowns need more clearance when they are applied and are generally used for teeth in the front of the mouth.

How Long Do
Zirconia Crowns Last?

With proper care and regular check-ups, zirconia crowns can last a lifetime.

On average, patients expect to get between ten and 20 years of wear out of their zirconia dental crowns, but some report upwards of 30 years of wear.

However, to increase their longevity, it is essential to follow strict oral hygiene practices.

Brush your teeth twice for two minutes every day.
Never skip flossing at least once daily.
Use antimicrobial mouth rinses and tongue scrapers to maintain oral hygiene.
Never skip your biannual dental checkups and cleanings. Such dental visits can help keep the teeth clean and bacteria-free and allow the dentist to check the crown’s health.

Some of the daily habits that will reduce the durability of zirconia dental crowns are:

Bruxism or teeth grinding
Chewing hard objects
Tearing objects or opening packages with your teeth
Biting of nails

Advantages of
Zirconia Crowns

In terms of strength, durability, and appearance, zirconia dental crowns are superior to other crown materials. Zirconia as a material mimics the appearance of natural teeth, reflecting light in the same way. This means zirconia crowns can be more closely matched to existing teeth.

Zirconium oxide is also up to five times stronger than porcelain or porcelain/metal crowns, which means less chance of cracking, chipping, or breaking at any time over their long lifespan.

If you have a damaged tooth, your dental professional at Dentist of Aventura, Miami, Florida, will best be able to guide you to decide if zirconia is the suitable material for your crown. Call us at 305-339-5701 or schedule an appointment online.

Call our Dentist of Aventura at 305-339-5701. We can make same-day appointments. Financing options are available as well with 0 % APR for up to 24 months. We are here to help you.