Smiling is one of the most natural ways for people to express themselves. However, having aesthetically problematic teeth often leads to a loss of confidence. In modern dentistry, one of the most advanced solutions that combine aesthetics and durability is zirconium dental crowns. With its natural appearance, long-lasting structure, and biocompatible properties, zirconium offers many advantages not only aesthetically but also for oral health.
So, why should you get zirconium teeth? Here are 9 compelling reasons that will convince you:
1. The Strongest Crowns Available
The human jaw can exert tremendous pressure. We may not notice it while eating, but dental crowns still need to withstand forces like chewing, grinding, and other pressures that natural teeth endure.
Ceramic crowns have advanced significantly in recent years, especially with the development of super-strong and paper-thin e.max. However, the strongest crowns on the market are still made of zirconium.
Zirconium is a biocompatible material, meaning it is well-tolerated by the body. Zirconium crowns are made from zirconium dioxide. While it shares many properties with titanium, it is considered a ceramic rather than a metal. It is a crystal and naturally semi-translucent. This crystalline structure gives it strength, making it highly resistant to biting, chewing, and grinding.
2. Longevity
Zirconium crowns have been used in general dentistry for only about 20 years, so precise long-term data is still limited. Zirconium naturally has an extremely smooth surface, which helps reduce plaque buildup. With regular preventive care and good oral hygiene, there is no reason why your zirconium crown shouldn’t last for decades.
For home care, it is recommended to brush twice a day and use dental floss daily. Antibacterial mouthwash and interdental brushes can also help keep harmful bacteria at bay.
3. Excellent Appearance
Zirconium is naturally white and opaque, which mimics the translucency of natural enamel and dentin. However, zirconium alone may be slightly too opaque for a fully natural appearance.
This makes pure zirconium crowns ideal for molars at the back of your mouth. These teeth handle the toughest tasks and most pressure, making zirconium an excellent choice. However, for front teeth, many people find that zirconium alone does not achieve the natural look they desire. A full zirconium crown is known as a monolithic zirconium crown. Zirconium, when layered with other materials, remains a great option for front teeth. Porcelain fused to zirconium can give an even more natural look.
Patients often worry whether crowns with porcelain fused to zirconium are more prone to cracking compared to monolithic zirconium crowns. However, their design makes this unlikely. During manufacturing, the porcelain layer is fused to the zirconium substructure, making it very strong, so chips and cracks are very rare.
Related aesthetic solutions: Hollywood Smile & Digital Smile Design
4. Hypoallergenic
We all want stable and comfortable crowns while avoiding sensitivity. Zirconium combines these qualities with much better aesthetics than traditional metal crowns.
As a biocompatible material, it is unlikely to cause any allergic reactions in the body. This makes it especially suitable for people with metal allergies. It also does not conduct heat or cold and does not expand or contract depending on what you eat.
5.Perfect Fit
In the past, getting a crown meant taking a paste-like impression and sending it to a lab. Now, different technology is used to ensure your zirconium crown fits perfectly.
Your dentist takes a digital impression of your mouth. This allows the lab to create a 3D model of your crown. This procedure is not only more comfortable but also produces more accurate measurements.
When it’s time to place the crown, you get a beautifully shaped zirconium crown that fits your mouth perfectly. This provides the most natural appearance and seamless blending with your other teeth.
The average delivery time for zirconium crowns is about five to ten business days. While the lab creates the permanent crown, your dentist will place a temporary crown in the meantime.
6. Lower Complication Rates
Besides aesthetics and feel, you want a crown that won’t cause problems in the future. Zirconium crowns are known for their low complication rates compared to other, more fragile types of crowns.
7. Customizable Material
Each tooth is slightly different, each one a work of art. To make crowns as realistic as possible, you need a material that is highly shapeable while retaining its strength. Zirconium provides both features.
8. Tooth Preservation
The gold standard in dentistry is to preserve as much of the natural tooth as possible. All procedures involving a crown require removing some of the tooth. If the crown is thick, your dentist must remove more tooth to make space.
Zirconium crowns can be made very thin without sacrificing strength. This allows the dentist to preserve much more of the natural tooth, which can speed up post-procedure tissue healing and generally reduce sensitivity.
9. Less Time in the Chair
Zirconium crowns are placed more quickly than traditional crowns. They don’t require shading liquids or long curing times.
For dental offices that can fabricate zirconium crowns in-house, this means you may not need a return visit for a fitting. Your dentist will place the zirconium crown immediately, completing the process in a single visit.
