Can Zirconia Crowns Crack?
Whether it is due to an accident or improper oral care, you may find your tooth is compromised. With that comes the need for repair. With a tooth that has been fractured, cracked or otherwise broken, you may need to have a dental crown placed.
A dental crown is a dental prosthetic that is placed over a tooth to replace a damaged crown. This allows a patient to continue to bite and chew like they did before the damage.
Why Zirconia?
There are different materials that are available for the creation of a dental crown. One popular material is zirconia. Zirconia is a durable material, and it is made from a metal oxide that is similar to titanium. This gives it an additional level of strength that other replacement options don’t have.
Zirconia also fits well with the surrounding teeth. While the appearance may not be a perfect match, it often goes unnoticed—especially if it is used on teeth further back in the mouth. There are different types of zirconia crowns to choose from, and you’ll find that some are better matches for overall appearance.
How Long Do Zirconia Crowns Usually Last?
Because of the resilient material zirconia crowns are made of, they can last a very long time. Often, zirconia crowns last upwards of 10-15 years or even longer! With that being said, zirconia crowns aren’t perfect and may still incur damage over time.
Will My Zirconia Crown Crack?
There are times in which zirconia crowns crack. There are a few different reasons for this:
- The material is too thin. One of the most common reasons for a crack in zirconia is due to the material being too thin.
- Poor prep design. There are times when dentists will prep for a higher quality brand of zirconia than they are using. This causes complications when they place an inferior brand. The laboratory also needs the ideal amount of space, and a dentist may not issue enough.
- Sharp edges. There are times where dentists leave sharp corners or edges when placing a zirconia crown. This leads to concentration of stress, which in turn leads to cracks.
- Poor manufacturing. The manufacturing process is extremely important when it comes to the integrity of a zirconia crown. Both the lab that manufactures the crown and the dentist may be at fault for these issues. By drilling a crown, a dentist can cause it to fracture. These fractures can be interproximal, occlusal or inside the crown.
Should I Get a Zirconia Crown?
There are both pros and cons to zirconia as a material. You’ll need to consider the cost, longevity, strength and appearance of the material when deciding between zirconia and other materials. Your dentist will be able to walk you through the different material options to make sure you get the best material to meet your needs.
If you find that your crown is damaged or fractured, set an appointment with your dentist as soon as you can to have it repaired.