When you are providing a patient with a dental restoration, you are staking your reputation on providing high quality – both in terms of the way that you carry out the procedure, and in the materials that you use. For this reason, reputable dentists want to ensure that they invest in the very best tools for the job.
There are many different materials used in tooth restoration, but an increasing number of dental professionals are now choosing zirconia over alternatives like PFM or full-gold so that they can offer the very highest levels of quality and durability to their patients. In fact, zirconia is widely considered to be the very material for dental restorations currently available.
What Is Zirconia?
Zirconia is one of the newest materials used in restorative dentistry. Many people think of zirconia as a metal, but this isn’t the case. Instead, zirconia is actually zirconium oxide – a type of ceramic. In fact, it is the hardest and strongest material used in modern restorative dentistry.
Solid vs Layered Zirconia
Zirconia restorations may be manufactured from either a solid zirconia block or layered zirconia. Let’s take a look at both in more detail.
Solid Zirconia
Solid zirconia is opaque. For this reason, it’s usually recommended for posterior crowns since it won’t matter that they don’t have the same translucency as the layered variety. Solid zirconia also contains more stabilizers than layered zirconia, and this makes it considerably more durable and capable of withstanding even the most forceful chewing and grinding. Minimal clearance is required, and there is shallow wear on opposing teeth.
Layered Zirconia
Layered zirconia is much more translucent than the solid variety, meaning that it more closely resembles natural teeth. For this reason, most dental professionals recommend that patients who require dental restorations near the front of the mouth where they will be highly visible have layered zirconia restorations. Nevertheless, they can be used on posterior restorations where there is enough clearance.
What are the Benefits of Choosing Zirconia For Dental Restorations?
There is a range of benefits associated with zirconia dental restorations. These include, but aren’t limited to, the following:
Biocompatible
Zirconia restorations are highly biocompatible. This is because their smooth surface helps to prevent plaque from accumulating on the teeth, improving the overall oral health of patients and reducing their risk of gum disease. Zirconia is also suitable for patients with metal allergies or who would prefer to have metal-free restorations.
Preserve the Appearance of Natural Teeth
The trouble with metal restorations is that over time, they can start to leak, causing the natural tooth to turn darker in response. With zirconia restorations, this can’t happen, and the teeth can retain their natural color.
Strength
Zirconia is ten times stronger than our natural tooth enamel and considerably stronger than PFM restorations. This means that they will almost certainly last much longer. In fact, some dental professionals consider them to be indestructible, though we wouldn’t recommend that you tell your patients to put this to the test!
Discretion
The translucent nature of zirconia means that it naturally reflects the existing teeth around it. This helps it to blend in with the rest of the patient’s smile and makes it nearly impossible to tell from the surrounding teeth. Many patients really value this level of discretion in their dental restorations.
Improved Comfort
With metal restorations, many people experience tooth sensitivity in response to eating and drinking hot/cold foods and drinks. This is because PFM restorations can transmit heat and cold. Zirconia restorations are much more comfortable since they don’t carry temperature extremes to the patient.
Precision Fit and Design
Zirconia restorations are milled using the very latest computer-aided design and manufacturing software and processes. Not only does this reduce chair time for patients, but it also ensures the highest levels of accuracy at every stage of creation. This increases the precision with which restorations fit and reduces the need for post-production adjustment.
