Description
What is dental zirconia?
The dental zirconia is zirconium dioxide (ZrO2), which is a powdered form of zirconium. Since the 1990s, zirconia is used for endodontic posts and implants. (Endodontic post helps you retain your restorations and fillings as well as crowns.)
Types of zirconia
There are two types of zirconia: solid and high translucent. Both of them can be made using the CAD CAM technology. CAD stands for Computer Aided Designing and CAM stands for Computer Aided Manufacturing. These technologies give you a precise fit and unmatchable look.
Solid zirconia
As the name suggests solid zirconia is tougher compared to the high translucent zirconia. It can withstand chewing forces as well as bruxism forces better.
Solid zirconia also suits root canal treated teeth, by offering stronger support to weak teeth.
As it’s opaque, it’s more suited for posterior/ back teeth.
High translucent zirconia
This is a type of zirconia which gives you superior looks that exactly resemble your natural teeth. It is more suited for anterior/ front teeth.
Though it is superior in looks, its strength is higher than PFM/ Porcelain Fused to Metal bridges.
If you need extensive orthodontic treatment to correct the alignment of your teeth, your dentist may not prefer high translucent zirconia.
How is a zirconia crown prepared?
It is prepared from a single block of zirconia and is known as a monolithic zirconia. Therefore, they are resistant to fracture as well as wear and tear. You can have a zirconia crown via a single sitting as well as multiple sitting appointments.
Earlier zirconia crowns used to have a porcelain layer which used to chip off. Now with the use of monolithic zirconia, your crown does not chip off.