Decatur AL Zirconia Crowns

Zirconia crowns, are metal-free (all-ceramic) dental restorations that provide a strong, comfortable and natural-looking way to preserve and enhance a compromised tooth.

These restorations get their durability and aesthetic beauty from a space-age ceramic material used in high-tech applications and medical prostheses. This material, sometimes called “ceramic steel,” is also biologically compatible, posing almost no risk for any type of allergic reaction.

Zirconia crowns can be used for restoration of natural teeth as well as dental implants and bridges. Here, Dr. Drake and Dr. Wallace explore the benefits and drawbacks of this dental restoration.

What Is a Zirconia Crown?

To create the material used in this type of dental crown, zirconia is formed into a polycrystalline ceramic material, creating a nearly indestructible base. This material is fairly aesthetic when used alone, or, to give it the color variations of a natural tooth, a layer of porcelain can be bonded to this base.

This highly advanced technology allows us to customize each crown’s appearance with subtle shades and level of translucence.  And, because these restorations can be fabricated with an extraordinary degree of accuracy, we can customize the fit to substantially improve the crown’s bond with the underlying tooth.

What Are Zirconia Bridges?

In addition to single crowns, we also offer zirconia bridges for our patients’ tooth replacement needs. This material provides exceptional strength and long-lasting comfort.

Like the porcelain fused to metal bridges of the past, zirconia bridges are stable and strong. But, unlike metal-based tooth replacements, this material does not trigger metal sensitivities or leave patients with that telltale black shadow at the gumline.

Are Zirconia Crowns and Bridges Right for Your Tooth Restoration?

Zirconia crowns are only one of the metal-free dentistry options we offer at Drake and Wallace Dentistry. Lithium disilicate is another excellent high-strength ceramic that is the core of e.max crowns and bridges. Either material could be used to replace one or more missing teeth.

The drawbacks to this material, although few, are important to consider. Zirconia is highly resistant to cracking and breakage but isn’t as strong as porcelain fused to metal. For example, it may not be strong enough to hold up in the very back of the mouth in the presence of heavy clenching or bruxism. It also doesn’t bond as well to the tooth as porcelain or lithium disilicate, so the restoration needs to be prepared with strong retention form.

That said, zirconia has superior strength. But, because no single dental restoration material is right for everyone, we invite you to learn more about this topic on our Porcelain Crowns and Dental Bridges pages.

If you would like to learn more about this and other types of all-porcelain dental crowns, contact our office today to schedule a consultation with Dr. Drake or Dr. Wallace. Or, if you prefer, you can use our handy website interface to request an appointment.