Zirconia Dental Crowns

When you have badly broken down or damaged tooth, your dentist will probably prescribe you a dental crown after treatment because the remaining tooth structure might be took weak already. In this case, a dental crown will be used instead of just a filling to restore your tooth. The dental crown will help support and protect your remaining tooth structure. It will also restore the appearance and functionality of your tooth.

Dental crowns can also be used purely for cosmetic purposes to enhance the shape, alignment or aesthetic appearance of teeth. For dental implants, dental crowns are also used as the final restoration of the implant.

There are many different materials used for dental crowns depending on what the dentist thinks is best for you. Porcelain, metal, gold, ceramic and resin are some of the types of dental crowns used in dentistry.

What is Zirconia?

Zirconia is a ceramic material that has revolutionized modern dentistry. Because of its exceptional qualities in terms of strength and aesthetics, Zirconia is now being widely used by dentists to produce fast and high quality dental veneers, crowns, bridges and even implants.

What are the advantages of Zirconia Crowns?

STRENGTH: Zirconia is very durable and is very hard to crack. It is actually the strongest material used in dentistry today.
AESTHETICS: Zirconia is a white ceramic with good translucency features. It resembles the natural tooth enamel because of its color and translucency.

It can also be further enhanced aesthetically by applying layers of porcelain to achieve the desired look, color and features of real teeth.

NON-METALLIC: Zirconia is not a metal. It does not rust, oxidize or chemically corrode.
BIOCOMPATIBILITY: Zirconia is compatible with living tissue. It is not toxic and is very well tolerated by the body. It does not cause allergy.
TEMPERATURE RESISTANT: Zirconia resists hot and cold temperatures very well. Because of this, hypersensitivity normally experienced by patients with other materials is greatly reduced.
STAIN RESISTANT: Zirconia does not easily stain compared acrylic and other composite ceramics.
FAST AND PRECISE: Zirconia crowns are made with high levels of precision and in a very short period of time because they are designed and manufactured in our clinic with state-of-the-art CADCAM equipment.

What is the process for Zirconia Crowns?

Having Zirconia Crowns at our clinic is a fast, convenient and hassle-free process. Because of our state-of-the-art CADCAM equipment and our in-house dental laboratory staff, we are able to design and manufacture Zirconias at the shortest possible time.

1. Consultation

The process of having a Zirconia Crown begins with a consultation with our dentist. Photographs and x-rays of your teeth will be taken during the consultation.

2. Preparing the Tooth/Teeth

The dentist can then start preparing your tooth or teeth for the crown by removing a layer of enamel around your tooth/teeth. Your dentist may use topical or local anesthesia during this process.

3. Dental Impression

After the preparation, a dental impression of your mouth will be taken. The dental impression will be sent to our dental laboratory for digitally scanning.

4. Temporary Crown

While your Zirconia Crown is being designed and produced, the dentist shall create and install a temporary crown for you.

5. Computer-Aided-Design

Our dental laboratory technician shall then use the digital scan of your teeth to create a three dimensional digital design of your Zirconia crown.

6. Computer-Aided-Manufacturing

The digital design will now be used to carve your crown from a solid Zirconia block using our computerized milling machine. When the milled crown is finished, the technician shall bake the Zirconia into a special oven for 9 hours.

The hardened zirconia crown will then be trimmed and polished. If directed by dentist, additional layers of porcelain will be built up on the Zirconia crown to improve its aesthetic quality.

7. Fitting the Crown

Your dentist will fit the crown on your tooth/ teeth on your next appointment. Your approval will be asked. Any change needed will be noted and the crowns will be sent back to the laboratory for adjustments.

8. Installing the Zirconia Dental Crowns

When the crowns are ready for final installation, the dentist shall etch your tooth with a special acid to prepare the surface of the tooth on a microscopic level. The tooth will then be coated with a bonding agent. Dental cement is then applied on the back of the Zirconia crown. Finally, the cement will be cured with a special light to harden it and permanently fix your new Zirconia crown in place.

The process is complete. Congratulations on your new smile!

How long will Zirconia Crowns last?

Zirconia is the strongest and most durable material for dental crowns. With proper care and good oral hygiene, your Zirconia crowns can last 10 – 15 years or even longer.

Full Contour Zirconia Crowns (not porcelain coated) are almost impossible to break and could last you a lifetime with proper care and good oral health.

Zirconia Crowns with Porcelain Build Up (coated with layers of porcelain) can last you a long time with proper care. The Zirconia crown itself will not be affected but the porcelain finish coating it can be damaged if you do not take care of it. Avoid biting or eating food that is very hard, they can break the porcelain coating of your Zirconia Crown.