Zirconia crowns

Zirconia dental crowns are dental prostheses made from zirconia, a ceramic material used in dentistry for its strength and biocompatibility. They are custom designed to perfectly match the shape and color of natural teeth.

Types of Zirconia

There are different types of zirconia used in the manufacture of dental crowns:

• Monolithic zirconia: a single piece of zirconia without a ceramic layer.
• Laminated zirconia: a layer of ceramic is applied over the zirconia to achieve a more aesthetic appearance.
• Translucent zirconia: a zirconia specially designed to mimic the translucency of natural teeth.

Resistance of zirconia crowns

Zirconia dental crowns offer exceptional strength, making them a durable and reliable choice for tooth restoration. They are able to withstand normal masticatory forces and maintain their structural integrity over the long term.

The strength of one-piece Zirconia crowns can withstand a pressure of 1400 Kg/cm2. The pressure of the human jaw is around 60 to 70 KG/cm2 for comparison. The resistance of the zirconia crown greatly exceeds the pressure of the jaw.
Not all zirconia crowns are as strong as one-piece zirconia crowns, but they all far exceed human chewing strength.

the choice of shades

Vita color chart for zirconia crowns

Zirconia crowns are available in a wide range of shades to perfectly match adjacent teeth and ensure a natural aesthetic result. Dentists can choose the appropriate shade based on the patient's specific needs.

Dental Zirconia Brands

Several reputable brands manufacture high quality dental zirconia, including:

• Straumann
• Nobel
• Ivoclar
• Vita

CAD CAM process

Intraoral Scan

The manufacturing process for zirconia crowns often involves the use of CAD CAM (Computer Aided Design and Manufacturing) technology. This process allows the crown to be digitally designed and manufactured with precision using an automated milling machine. The measurements in the mouth are taken thanks to an intraoral scanner which digitizes in 3d the support which will receive the Zirconia crown.

Made on computer

The crowns are then digitally designed and printed in the equivalent of a specific 3D printer

The advantages of zirconia crowns

Resistant metal-free crowns
No opaque effect

Light reflection
no discoloration of the gums (gray border)