Dental crowns are an essential part of restoring the health and beauty of teeth. Crowns provide a protective shield when teeth are severely decayed, broken, weakened, or need strengthening after a root canal. Traditionally, there were various options available, such as metal crowns, porcelain-fused-to-metal (PFM) crowns, and ceramic crowns. Each had its own advantages and limitations. But, with the advent of modern dentistry, a new material has revolutionized the world of crowns – the zirconia crown.
Over the past few years, zirconia crowns have been rapidly gaining popularity among both dental practitioners and patients due to their unique properties. Made from Zirconium Oxide, these crowns outperform other options in terms of strength, aesthetic appearance, and longevity. In this blog, we will discuss the key advantages of zirconia crowns in detail, which will help you understand why they are the ideal choice for modern dental treatment.
Key Benefits of Zirconia Crowns
Zirconia crowns not only look beautiful, but they also offer numerous functional and health benefits. Here are some of its key benefits of zirconia crowns discussed in detail:
Unmatched Strength & Durability
The most notable advantage of zirconia crowns is their exceptional strength and durability. Zirconium oxide is a ceramic material that is as strong as steel and is used in industrial applications for heavy-duty wear parts. In dentistry, this property means that zirconia crowns can withstand heavy chewing pressure, making them ideal for the back teeth (molars and premolars). Traditional porcelain crowns, or PFM crowns, have a risk of the porcelain part breaking or chipping, while zirconia crowns have a negligible risk. Its high fracture resistance and bending strength ensure that the crown will last a long time and will not need to be replaced frequently, saving both time and money for the patient. These dental crowns provide reliable performance over the long term.
Natural Aesthetics & Appearance
In modern dentistry, not only strength but also appearance is important. Zirconia crowns perform exceptionally well in this area. Zirconia has a white color similar to natural teeth and its translucency can be customized, allowing it to blend beautifully with the surrounding natural teeth. PFM crowns often have a metal base that can appear as a black or grey line at the gum line, but zirconia crowns do not use metal, so no such black line is visible. This feature is especially important for front teeth where aesthetic appearance is paramount. With different shades and levels of translucency of zirconia available, the dentist can create a crown that perfectly matches the patient’s natural teeth, providing a beautiful and flawless smile.
Excellent Biocompatibility
Biocompatibility is how well a material is accepted by the human body and does not cause any adverse reactions. Zirconia crowns have proven to be the best on this criterion. Zirconia is a bio-inert material, which means that it does not react chemically with body tissues. Due to this property, zirconia crowns reduce the risk of gum irritation or allergic reactions, which can be seen in metal-based crowns. Zirconia crowns are a safe and reliable option for patients with metal allergies, helping them achieve a perfectly healthy and beautiful smile without any worries.
Longevity
When investing in your dental crown, its longevity is a key factor. Zirconia crowns are known for their exceptional durability and resistance to wear and tear. With proper oral hygiene and regular dental check-ups, zirconia crowns can typically last 10 to 15 years or more. In some cases, they can even remain functional throughout the patient’s lifetime. Due to its strength, it does not break or chip, and its quality is maintained over time as it does not corrode. This long lifespan saves patients the hassle of having to replace their crowns frequently and also reduces costs in the long run.
Minimally Invasive Preparation
A major advantage of the strength of zirconia crowns is that they can be made thinner than traditional crowns, yet are equally or stronger. This means that less of the natural tooth structure needs to be removed to accommodate the crown. Minimal tooth removal allows for more natural tooth structure to be preserved, which is beneficial for the overall health and future stability of the tooth. This procedure is less invasive for the patient and can also help reduce tooth sensitivity, which increases patient comfort.
Reduced Thermal Sensitivity
Many people experience tooth sensitivity to hot or cold foods and drinks after dental restorations. This may be due to the thermal conductivity of the crown material. Zirconia crowns have low thermal conductivity, which means that they do not allow heat and cold to easily reach the pulp (center part) of the tooth. This can protect the tooth from changes in hot and cold temperatures, resulting in significantly reduced sensitivity and a comfortable experience for the patient after the crown is placed.
Maintenance of Zirconia Crowns
Proper care of zirconia crowns is essential for them to last a long time. Fortunately, caring for them is as easy as caring for your natural teeth. Here are some maintenance tips for zirconia crowns:
Daily Oral Hygiene: The Foundation of Your Crown
- Regular brushing: Brush at least twice a day, morning and night, using a soft toothbrush and fluoride toothpaste. It is important to thoroughly clean the surface of the crown, especially at the gumline (the edge of the gums) where the crown meets your gums.
- Flossing: It is essential to use dental floss once a day. Flossing effectively removes food particles and plaque that are trapped in the spaces between the crown and its neighboring teeth, as well as between the crown and the gums.
- Use of mouthwash: Incorporating the use of antibacterial and alcohol-free mouthwash into your daily routine can help reduce bacteria and keep your mouth fresh, especially in the area around the gumline.
Professional Dental Care: Importance of Regular Check-ups
- For the long-term health and function of your zirconia crown, regular visits to the dentist are extremely important. Ideally, you should visit the dentist every six months (or as advised by your dentist) for a check-up and cleaning. During these visits, the dentist will:
- Check the condition of the crown: They will check the fit of the crown, its edges, and overall integrity, so that any cracks, chips, or signs of wear can be detected in time.
- Evaluate the health of the gums: They will check whether the gums around the crown are healthy, as gum disease can affect the stability of the crown.
- Professional cleaning: A professional cleaning will be performed by a dentist or dental hygienist, which removes plaque and tartar that cannot be removed by home brushing. This cleaning helps keep both the crown and your natural teeth clean.
- Early Diagnosis: Regular check-ups help detect any potential problems, such as the beginnings of decay under the crown or minor gum problems, before they become serious, allowing for timely treatment and extending the life of the zirconia crown.
Conclusion
In modern dentistry, zirconia crowns have emerged as an outstanding and revolutionary alternative. Its advantages, such as unmatched strength and durability, natural aesthetic appearance, excellent biocompatibility, long life, minimal tooth extraction requirement, and reduced thermal sensitivity, set it apart from other traditional crowns.
If you are looking for a high-quality, long-lasting, and natural-looking solution to tooth decay, weakness, or aesthetic concerns, zirconia crowns could be the best choice for you. This technology takes patient satisfaction and functional outcomes in dentistry to a new level. It is always very important to have a detailed discussion and consultation with your dental professional to determine which type of dental crown is best for you.
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