Zirconia vs Porcelain Crowns
Given the new developments in dental technology, patients are asking for Zirconia crowns over metal infused with Porcelain. Zirconia crowns have incredible durability, so there are no concerns over cracking or chipping. If the whole reason you got a crown is because your tooth broke or cracked, why would you want to cap it with another material which will splinter?
Zirconia crowns have a semi tooth-like appearance naturally, and can even be layered with porcelain to match the look of PFM (porcelain fused to metal) crowns. As an added bonus Zirconia crowns, with or without porcelain layering, do not have noticeable metal separation near the gum.
Zirconia comes from Zirconium and is a metal oxide. It is commonly found throughout the world, and lots of household items. Zirconia can be found in plates, kitchenware, piping and appliances throughout your house. Due to its strength, it is ideal for dental implants, especially posterior ones which require extensive chewing and crunching. It is also ideal because of its’ chemical makeup and biocompatibility, Zirconia is safe for you and your body.
Why would I need Zirconia Crowns over Porcelain or Porcelain Fused to Metal?
- Durability- You would want Zirconia Crowns for teeth which will experience a lot of chewing. Check–everyone uses their teeth for a couple meals a day, and no one wants broken teeth or cracked caps. Zirconia can be up to three times stronger than other materials used in crowns and caps. Some are made from a single block of Zirconia, making the entire bit almost unbreakable.
- Appearance- You pride yourself on your appearance. You want to feel confident. You don’t want people scrutinizing your smile. With Zirconia Crowns, you can feel assured that your teeth are intact and look like teeth; not like gold or silver.
- Customization- Zirconia can be easily shaped, fitted, and reshaped by your Dentist. Oftentimes, fitting and shaping happen during the same appointment. You want to ensure your teeth are ergonomically lined up, to save yourself from any Temporomandibular Jaw problems down the line.
- Safety- Biocompatibility means that the construction of this crown will not cause your body complications down the line. Zirconia will not leech through your gums, cramp up your stomach, crack and interact with your stomach lining, etc. Because if its’ durability, you can also feel confident in Zirconia’s fitting. It can be bonded or cemented to your broken or cracked tooth with no concerns over further damage. Some patients experience allergic reactions to compound in all Porcelain or PFM crowns, which makes Zirconia a prime alternative option.
- Time- Thanks to the reliability and durability of material, Zirconia crowns can reasonably last the lifetime of the patient. With proper dental hygiene, you should see almost no problem with your new implants.
Ding-Ding, I think we all know who won that bout. There’s no “right” choice for anyone’s dental implants, there’s just the right choice for you. If you want a realistic-looking, durable, reliable, and safe dental implant–Zirconia may be the right fit for your teeth. It may not be, and that’s okay too. The first step is always having an informed conversation with your Dentist or medical professional. PFM and All porcelain crowns are quickly going the way of the Dinosaur, because of their fragility. However, that doesn’t mean they’re the wrong choice for you. Whatever you choose, make sure you discuss options and learn about your choices.