Advantages of Zirconia Crowns
If you’ve cracked, chipped or otherwise damaged your tooth, you’ll need to consider the right repair option. If there is a substantial amount of damage to the crown of your tooth, one choice may be to have a dental crown placed.
What Are Dental Crowns?
A dental crown is a dental prosthetic used to repair a tooth that has been damaged or has decayed to an extent that the crown of the tooth is severely compromised. These prosthetics are placed over the healthy portion of a tooth, allowing the patient to maintain part of their natural tooth.
These crowns can be made with different materials—each of which with their advantages and disadvantages. One popular material used in the creation of dental crowns is zirconia.
Why Zirconia?
There are a variety of reasons you may want to choose zirconia for your crown. Some of these include:
- Durable. Zirconia is a strong and durable material. It is made of crystal, and because of this it holds up extremely well over time. This allows you to chew and bite without having to worry about damage to your crown.
- Biocompatible. Zirconia is a very biocompatible material, which makes it a great choice for people that have allergies to other materials like porcelain. This biocompatibility lowers the chances of pain, discomfort and even infection.
- Temperature resistant. Zirconia is a resistant material, and can hold up when faced with hot and cold temperatures.
- Appearance. Zirconia has a more natural appearance than some materials like gold. Although it isn’t as similar to the natural look of a tooth as a material like porcelain is, it can still match the surrounding teeth well. This is especially so for teeth that are further back in the mouth.
- Less natural tooth removal. With zirconia, you can have a crown placed without having to remove as much of the natural tooth.
- Longevity. As zirconia crowns are more durable and are made with such a strong material, they can often last a long time. It isn’t uncommon for a zirconia crown to last upwards of 10-15 years!
- No metal. Zirconia, unlike some other materials, does not need to be fused to metal. This helps to give the prosthetic a more natural appearance when compared with other options.
- Easy modification. Because of how malleable zirconia is, it can be shaped to match the look of the natural crown that is being replaced.
Are Zirconia Crowns Right for Me?
With the variety of different materials available, you’ll want to consider which choice is right for you. Zirconia is a great choice overall, but due to price, appearance or other factors, it may not be the best choice for you. Consult your dentist about what material is best to meet your needs.
If you find that your tooth has been damaged and you believe the crown has been compromised, make sure to set an appointment with your dentist to see if a dental crown is the right repair option for you.