Zirconia crowns: Advantages and disadvantages

Zirconia crowns advantages

No matter what type of zirconia you and your patient decide on for their crowns, there are many ways this dental option can elevate their smile. Here are the three top advantages of zirconia crowns:

• Zirconia crowns are biocompatible. Biocompatibility means your patients don’t have to worry about their zirconia crowns negatively interacting with the living tissue in their mouth. Zirconia is non-toxic and naturally hypoallergenic.

• Zirconia crowns are customizable. Zirconia is an incredibly customizable material, thanks to its chemical composition and the range of technologies that have been developed to work with the material. When it comes to zirconia crowns, that means designing for the needs of specific patients is more feasible than ever. For your patients, this helps ensure a perfect fit and long-lasting comfort.

• Zirconia crowns are metal-free. Zirconia crowns contain zero metal, which makes them the obvious choice for people with nickel allergies or other metal sensitivities.

• Zirconia crowns are digital friendly. Due to new dental technology, zirconia crowns can be fabricated 100% digitally. You can start by taking a digital impression. The crowns are then digitally designed with CAD/CAM technology and are precisely milled so that seating requires fewer chairside adjustments. 

• Zirconia crown cementation is easy. Zirconia crowns are cemented differently; however, the process can be simpler and more efficient than their other ceramic counterparts.

Zirconia crowns disadvantages

The disadvantages of zirconia crowns are essential to understand, also. For example, the opaque appearance of some zirconia types can make the restoration look less natural than other crown materials. Also, they can be pricier than crowns of other materials, which makes them less accessible for patients.

Furthermore, it is essential to remember that while zirconia crowns can be an excellent option for many patients, a few potential challenges associated with zirconia crowns could present.  Let’s examine a couple of possible zirconia crown problems—and how innovative technology can help to mitigate them:

• Discoloration – In the past, it could be difficult and time-consuming to match zirconia crowns to the color of neighboring teeth. However, digital options like Dandy’s intraoral scanning technology nullify this problem with zirconia crowns; shade matching workflows help to ensure that digitally produced zirconia teeth are the perfect shade, creating a seamless aesthetic.

• Potential damage to neighboring teeth – Some members of the dental community have raised concerns that a hard, durable material like zirconia might wear away the comparatively soft texture of natural enamel in the neighboring teeth. To address this common issue, Dandy’s dedicated CAD design team places a special emphasis on proper spacing and alignment of zirconia teeth. Such digital workflows help to prevent any deterioration caused by wear and tear.

In addition, some contraindications for zirconia crowns can also occur. A zirconia crown is not recommended when the:

• Preparations have very little reduction (less than 0.6 mm) and thin walls.

• Strong biting forces occur where the opposing contact is zirconia also (as microscopic breakdown can occur)

• Opposing contact is made of cast gold or polymer (to prevent excessive wear)

• Case requires precision attachments

• Aesthetics are paramount (unless the dental lab can apply the right stains, fire it correctly, and polish it without making it look gray or shiny and without using a glaze)