What Are Zirconia Crowns?
Zirconia crowns are dental crowns made from zirconium, a strong and durable material. They are becoming increasingly popular due to the numerous benefits they offer, including:
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- Strength and durability – Zirconia crowns are stronger than traditional materials, such as porcelain and metal, and are less likely to chip and break.
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- Aesthetics – Zirconia crowns can be more aesthetically pleasing than porcelain or metal crowns, as they are more translucent and closer in appearance to natural teeth.
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- Biocompatible – Zirconia is also a biocompatible material, meaning it is well tolerated by the body and is unlikely to cause any adverse reactions.
Uses of Zirconia Crowns
Zirconia crowns are commonly used for the following purposes:
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- Restoration – for restoring damaged or decayed teeth.
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- Protection – to protect weak or vulnerable teeth.
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- Replacement – for replacing missing teeth.
Procedure for Zirconia Crowns
The process for placing a zirconia crown is similar to that of traditional crowns. It involves the following steps:
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- Cleaning & Preparation of Tooth – Tooth preparation involves removal of any decay and shaping of the tooth with a dental drill.
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- Taking an Impression – An impression of the tooth will be taken using dental putty and sent to the lab for fabrication.
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- Fabrication of Crown – The crown will be fabricated in a lab using a computer-aided design and manufacturing (CAD/CAM) system.
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- Installation of Crown – Once the crown is ready, it will be installed by the dentist using a dental adhesive.
Benefits of Zirconia Crowns
Zirconia crowns offer numerous benefits, including:
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- Strength & Durability – Zirconia is a strong and durable material, making it more resistant to breakage than traditional materials.
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- Aesthetically Pleasing – Zirconia crowns have a more translucent appearance than metal and porcelain crowns, making them more natural looking.
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- Biocompatible – Zirconia is a biocompatible material, meaning it is well tolerated by the body and is unlikely to cause any adverse reactions.
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- Less Invasive – Zirconia crowns require less tooth preparation than traditional crowns as they do not require metal or porcelain overlays on the tooth.
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- Cost-Effective – Zirconia crown fabrication is more cost effective compared to other crowns, as it requires less time and labor.
Conclusion
Zirconia crowns are a great option for restoring damaged, decayed, or missing teeth. They offer strength, durability, and aesthetics while being cost-effective.