A neat and flawless smile gives us self-confidence and self-esteem, improves our quality of life and can radically change our entire life. When the embarrassment of hiding your teeth is gone, you can not only enjoy a carefree conversation, but also enjoy comfortable eating again.
For this reason, dentistry is looking for not only prosthetic solutions that fulfill the chewing function, but also solutions that guarantee perfect aesthetics.
Zirconium is a hard, solid material and its oxides have been produced in dentistry as an alternative to various metals and metal alloys.
Zirconium crowns have been used in cosmetic dentistry for many years as a highly compatible, stable and visually attractive dental material.
Advantages of Zirconium Crowns
Many dentists believe that a zirconium crown is the most suitable material for patients in need of dentures. It does not contain metals, so there is no risk of allergies and it is perfectly tolerated by the body. In other words, it doesn’t react to heat or cold, is non-conductive, and has no metallic aftertaste in the mouth.
In addition, a partial or full zirconium crown also meets the highest aesthetic requirements. Its color and general appearance are very similar to natural teeth.
Due to the characteristic gloss and low translucency, the zirconium crown is visually indistinguishable from its own or natural tooth. For this reason, many patients prefer zirconium crowns where the dentures are located in the visible area of the incisors, canines and anterior posterior teeth.
Unlike metal frame crowns, creating dark edges on the tooth neck or gum line over time is not possible with zirconium crowns.
Zirconium is a highly flexible, chemically resistant material that is much stronger than the skeleton of metal-ceramic crowns. Therefore, zirconium crowns do not break easily and are more durable.
A noticeable advantage of zirconium crowns is that the gums can grow smoothly over the crown, just like our own teeth. That’s why you don’t need to worry about long-term gingivitis or gum recession.
When is an artificial dental crown used?
Decayed teeth are at risk of death if nothing is done by the dentist. Firstly, caries should be cleaned from the teeth. Only the tooth structure remains, which can be used as a base for a crown.
After cleaning the tooth of caries, the dentist places a zirconium crown on the tooth and fixes it firmly. An important condition is that the tooth root is intact and that it is well rooted in the jaw bone. Only in this way will the new crown provide the necessary grip on the chin.
How is Zirconium Crown Applied?
Typically a maximum of four sessions are required to fabricate a zirconium veneer. In the first session, a tooth is prepared in which a zirconium crown will be inserted. The healthy hard tooth material is cleaned and cleared of caries with the help of tools.
Then an impression of the tooth is taken, prepared by means of intraoral scanning. The model is determined by the existing teeth. The next two sessions are to match the shape and color of the zirconium crown to the patient’s teeth. In the fourth session, the dentist puts on a zirconium crown.
Proper care of the zirconium crown
All-ceramic zirconium crowns are very resistant to breakage and damage. The level of durability depends primarily on the quality of the material used and the dental laboratory. In addition, the dentist’s precise work and the correct setting of the optimal heating are also effective.
With careful maintenance and regular controls, zirconium veneers can be used without problems for 15 to 20 years. Zirconium as a tooth coating material has the great advantage that it is very resistant to bacteria. When you brush your teeth daily, the zirconium crown is also cleaned as normal. You do not need to use any separate maintenance. Additionally, you can support durability with regular professional tooth cleaning.