Zirconia dental crowns are made from zirconium dioxide, a white powdered ceramic material. Its ceramic properties and the fact that is milled from a single block make it a strong dental prosthetic.
In fact, its strength allows for far thinner dental crowns than those made with metals. Creating a strong, yet thin crown is ideal as it only requires a minimal amount of healthy tooth tissue to be removed for placement. Retaining as much of your natural tooth as possible is always our goal in maintaining a healthy smile for many years to come.
Zirconia’s ceramic properties and natural white coloring make for a relatively effortless match to the rest of your smile. It comes in several forms, each with its own level of translucency. Your dentist can select the one that will be a perfect match.
Your tooth restoration will be completed in two appointments. At the first appointment, your dentist will prepare the tooth by removing unhealthy tissue and shaping the tooth to fit the crown over the top. Depending on the health of the tooth, this shaping process may require removing a minimal amount of healthy tissue as well. Next, they will make an impression of your bite and send it to the lab for fabrication. Once the impression is taken, they will place a temporary crown to protect the tooth being treated.
The lab will use the impression of your bite to provide the precise size and shape of your new dental crown. A lab technician will expertly craft your crown from a solid block of zirconia to seamlessly match your unique smile. When your dental office receives the finished crown, you can come in for your second appointment.
Your second appointment is for placement. Your dentist will prep the tooth by removing the temporary crown and cleaning the area. They will bond the crown to your natural tooth using dental cement. Once placed, your dentist will then ensure that it fits your bite comfortably—making any small adjustments as necessary.
After your dentist has ensured a virtually perfect fit, you can go right back to your usual daily routine—while showing off your renewed, healthy smile.
Zirconia may not be the first type of material for a dental crown that comes to mind, but it is an increasingly popular choice for its ideal pairing of structural and aesthetic qualities. For a natural-appearing smile, zirconia crowns are our go-to choice as a dependable, long-lasting dental prosthetic for our patients. When restoring smiles, it is our philosophy to maintain as much of each patient’s natural tooth structure as possible. We know we can count on crowns made from zirconia to enable us to do just that.
