A Zirconia Crown Can Preserve Your Tooth for Strength, Stability, and Aesthetics

A zirconia crown can save a tooth

Zirconia crowns are one of the latest dental technology solutions.

Dental crowns are among the most widely used tooth restorations available today. They provide lasting strength and protection while maintaining the natural root structure of the affected tooth. 

Zirconia crowns are one of the latest innovations in crown technology, and they could be just what you need for your next restoration.

Situations That Call for a Dental Crown

There are many different situations that call for a tooth crown. Your teeth can become damaged in a variety of ways that could merit the protection that dental crowns offer. The treatment involves removing exterior material from a tooth and then applying a cover—the crown—over it to provide lasting protection. 

Tooth decay is among the most common reasons for a dental crown. It can wear away at your enamel and the dentin underneath until the strength—and function—of your tooth is severely compromised. A dental crown ensures that the interior of the tooth remains safe.

Very serious tooth decay can lead to infection or an abscessed tooth. In these cases, you will need a root canal to save the tooth. A root canal procedure removes the soft interior tissue, after which the tooth is filled, and a dental crown is applied over the top. 

You may also require a dental crown in cases where substantial fillings are required. This is particularly true when the filling affects the chewing surface of the tooth.

Dental trauma is another common reason to need a dental crown. Purely cosmetic cracks and chips can often be dealt with by other cosmetic treatment options; however, more extensive damage can require a dental crown to maintain the integrity of the tooth and protect its interior.

What are Zirconia Crowns?

There are a variety of different materials used for crowns today. Gold crowns have been used for thousands of years and still see some use. However, today most dental crowns are made from porcelain and other types of ceramic material—such as zirconia.

Zirconia is one of the newest materials to be used in crowns, and it is similar to porcelain in many ways. Both are ceramic materials that provide very natural-looking teeth, but there are some key differences.

Most porcelain crowns aren’t made entirely of porcelain; instead, they are porcelain fused to metal. This improves strength but reduces the biocompatibility, which can lead to adverse reactions to the metal component in some people. Zirconia crowns are actually a type of ceramic, and are created from a single piece of ceramic.

Zirconia crowns are quickly becoming the go-to choice for dental crowns. They offer a wide range of benefits that have led to an increased preference for zirconia over porcelain crowns.

Benefits of Zirconia Crowns

First, zirconia crowns offer the same treatment benefits as any other type of crown. You are able to protect the interior of your tooth and its roots from decay and infection. Saving the natural tooth roots is almost always the preferred outcome for treatment and can lead to improved long-term oral health.

Zirconia crowns can also restore the look of your smile, leaving it bright and full, giving you the confidence that comes with a healthy smile. Both porcelain and zirconia crowns are practically indistinguishable from natural teeth. These crowns are carefully customized to seamlessly match your natural smile.

Comparing Zirconia and Porcelain Crowns

When comparing zirconia crowns and porcelain, zirconia delivers improved performance in a few key areas. Zirconia is a stronger material, providing additional durability. Crowns made of this material are more resistant to splitting, cracking, and chipping. 

This improved strength makes zirconia crowns an exceptional choice when restoring teeth near the back of the mouth. The material stands up to the significant forces involved in chewing without breaking or showing signs of wear. Zirconia crowns are also capable of covering extreme tooth discoloration.

Zirconia exhibits exceptional biocompatibility, which means that it won’t cause an inflammatory or immunological response. This avoids issues that some patients have with porcelain-fused-to-metal crowns.

You can also have your smile whole again faster with zirconia crowns. The fabrication process is shorter compared to porcelain crowns—in some cases, you could be walking out with your renewed smile after just one visit.

Find the Right Restoration Options for Your Needs

A dental crown could be just what you need to restore your smile. Zirconia crowns offer many advantages over porcelain crowns, but the best way to know for sure is to speak to your dentist. They can take your unique needs into account to find the best options to restore your smile.

Laurel Manor Dental is your experienced dentist in the Villages, FL, for patient-centered restorative and cosmetic dentistry treatments provided in a comfortable environment. We can assess your needs and find the right solution for your unique smile, whether that’s a tooth crown, bridge, dental implant, or another option. Schedule a consultation to find out more about how we can become your trusted smile partner today.