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Table of Contents
The way that zirconia was introduced into dental fixed prostheses has altered cosmetic dentistry for good. Nowadays zirconia crowns are the most preferable dental crowns over the traditional PFM (Porcelain Fused to Metal caps) as an excellent cap for every tooth. In this article, you will read a complete guide and everything you need to know about the Zirconia Crown process in Turkey
What Is A Zirconia Crown?
As dental crowns play an important role in restoring the shape and functionality of decayed, missing, or damaged teeth, the material that these crowns and bridges are made of is porcelain that is layered on a metal substructure which is highly durable and reliable but less esthetic due to the metal shade beneath the porcelain.
Zirconium alloy is well known for its high strength, resistance to fracture, and biocompatibility in patients’ mouths, the thing that motivates the rapid alteration from metal substructure to zirconium substructure, for more bright highly translucent, and highly esthetic teeth.
The Revolution of Zirconia in Cosmetic Dentistry
Zirconium dioxide (the material zirconia crown made of) when first introduced in the dentistry field was truly revolutionary material for its strength, resistance to wear, and chipping and it was as biocompatible to the human body as titanium.
With the advanced technology of CAD/CAM system and the evolutionary types of zirconium dioxide alloys, it’s now possible to fabricate all zirconia-ceramic prostheses, without the need for any metal framework, which enhanced the high-quality, natural-looking, esthetically appealing dental restorations.
Types Of Zirconia Crowns
There are mainly Three Systems of Zirconia Crowns fabrication:
- Solid Block Zirconia Crowns
- Layered Zirconia Crowns (PFZs)
- High Translucency Zirconia crowns
1) Solid Block Zirconia Crowns
It’s a Monolithic Zirconium or Solid block of zirconia, that is less translucent and more opaquer than porcelain, but its extreme strength and durability make it the good choice for dental crowns and bridges in back teeth (non-aesthetic areas or ”Posterior teeth”) where aesthetic and natural looking is not necessary for the patient. Its extreme strength, high durability, and resistance to fracture make it the choice for bruxers; who have more forces on their teeth that cause grinding and clenching and maybe fracturing of their own teeth.
2) Layered Zirconium crowns
It’s the most commonly used type for dental crown fabrication. Its technique resembles PFM crowns but instead of the metal core that causes gingival darkening and blackish shades over time, a solid block zirconium core is milled by CAD/CAM system, and the ceramic layer of feldspathic porcelain is painted (shading technique) on the top of it.
Porcelain fused to Zircon (PFZs) is the widely used aesthetic alternative to Porcelain fused to Metal (PFMs), as the Layered Technique is the same in both but the substructure is changed from metalcore to zircon core that is more biocompatible and more esthetic and suitable in the smile zone, which results in the best outcome and more bright natural look more than PFMs could ever do. This is the choice for crowns and bridges on the front teeth (aesthetic zone), where translucency, different shades, and a more natural look are absolutely needed at affordable prices.
This type has the advantages of both the zircon core which gives strength, durability, and high adaptation on any tooth structure, added to the beautiful natural shades of porcelain that cover and transform the opacity of zircon into a naturally looking crowns for the anterior teeth.
The Layered Technique of Zirconia crowns (PFZs) results in a satisfied outcome for the dentist who cares for the durability and strength of the dental crown and is able to endure all the masticatory forces that the patient can ever do, and for the patient who cares with this natural shiny pretty seamless smile that no one could distinguish the Zirconia crown from the natural teeth.
3) High Translucency Zirconia crowns
The Fabrication of the crown by the Layered Technique (Porcelain Fused to Zircon) takes more time to paint the shades and drying the porcelain ceramic layer over the zircon core, needs more talented hands, and gets complicated over the span of the prosthesis.
Using Zirconia HT (High translucency Zirconia) fabricated with CAD/CAM systems saves patient and technician time, and gets the same quality with the same natural translucency due to its natural fluorescence that the shades are perfect and no additional fluorescent glaze is added after the zirconia HT crowns are milled not like the Porcelain Fused to Zirconia crowns, plus their strength which made it suitable for 3 span dental bridges. However, Zirconia HT is much more expensive than PFZs as the Zircon Alloys come in prefabricated shades and translucency that the dentist should choose from.
Reasons To Get Zirconia Crowns
The reason why Zirconia crowns are superior to any other types of dental crowns is the need for the most natural-looking appearance, high strength, and durable restoration. All these factors give zirconia crowns the advantage over any other traditional crowns and bridges like PFMs.
Here are some Benefits of Getting a Zirconia Crown:
- High aesthetic, natural tooth shading and translucency, and a natural look that can’t be distinguished from adjacent natural teeth.
- High Strength and Durability: Its high strength makes it more durable and patients don’t worry about changing it later.
- Biocompatible and doesn’t cause allergy; not like some metal frameworks in the PFMs
- Resistant to wear and decay
- Resistant to staining and chipping.
- Long-lasting solution for over 20 years
- A suitable solution for patients who suffer from bruxism (bruxers).
What Is The Downside Of Zirconia Crowns?
- Cost
Their higher cost compared to the metal, and the porcelain fused to metal. It’s always expensive due to its characteristic durability and the CAD/CAM techniques used in its fabrication. - Can Cause Wear or cracks to the opposing natural teeth
Its high strength and hardness exceed the natural teeth hardness which can cause natural teeth wear or abrasion due to wrong bites or exceeding chewing forces. - It can’t be re-adjusted or re-added to it
Once it’s fabricated it can’t be re-adjusted or changed its shade, If the patient wants to change its shade, or it’s not fit correctly, it should be re-fabricated. - Requires special equipment to be fabricated
Its fabrication depends on the CAD/CAM system which is the modern equipment for milling the zirconia alloy to the desired contours according to the impression taken from the patient’s mouth by CAM Scanning. This complex special technique needs special expensive equipment that can’t be found in any other clinics other than high quality and professional clinics such as Sauve Clinic.
How Much Do Zirconia Crowns Cost In Turkey?
Since The cost of zirconia crowns in Turkey is highly competitive, it solved the high-cost disadvantages in expensive countries like the USA and the UK. thus making it a popular choice for dental tourists. In 2024, the price per zirconia crown in Turkey ranges from $150 to $300. Usually, Dental clinics in Istanbul, offer full-mouth zirconia restorations (20 teeth) between $4,000 and $6,000, which is significantly more affordable than similar treatments in the US or UK.
What To Expect After A Zirconia Crown?
Any patient can feel pleased when they see their naturally bright smile for the first time, After getting a zirconia crown in your mouth you could expect the following feeling;
- slight sensitivity to hot and cold for days as a result of the preparation procedure for the abutment teeth.
- Slight discomfort on biting till the bite gets even and well-adjusted in your mouth.
- Improved functionality and appearance.
As with any dental prostheses, zirconia crowns need more care and good oral hygiene, for long-lasting restoration and dental tissue health, So Regular Dental Check-ups are a must. You can read more about Dental crowns Aftercare instructions
Zirconia Crown FAQs
How Long Will The Zirconia Crown Last?
Zirconia crowns are among the longest-lasting dental restorations, with a lifespan of 15-20 years or more when well-maintained. Their durability and resistance to chipping, staining, and general wear make them an excellent long-term investment, especially when accompanied by proper dental hygiene and regular check-ups.
Are Zirconia Crowns All Ceramic?
- Yes, Zirconia Crowns are types of all-ceramic restorations. The incorporation of porcelain and ceramic layers with zirconium core in the Porcelain Fused to Zirconia crowns, and the zirconium HT crowns improves that zirconia crowns are all ceramics.
Is Zirconia Stronger Than Real Teeth?
Yes, It’s higher strength and hardness more than the natural teeth tissues (enamel and dentine)
Can Zirconia Crowns Be Reshaped?
- No, Once the crown is milled and fabricated by the CAD/CAM technique, it can’t be re-adjusted or re-shaped, unless the zirconia crowns are of multi-layered forms that’s the only way it could be added on the ceramic layers without the final glazing layer.
What Is The Best Toothpaste For Zirconia Crowns?
A non-abrasive, fluoride toothpaste that doesn’t cause any scratching of the crown surface.
Can Zirconia Crowns Fall Out?
Well-bonded zirconia crowns placed by a professional skilled dentist will be seated in its place without being loose, although Zirconia crowns can occasionally come loose or fall out if the adhesive bond between the crown and the tooth weakens.
Do Zirconia Crowns Feel Like Normal Teeth?
Zirconia crowns are designed to mimic the natural teeth appearance, shape, feel, and functionality, and also to integrate with the mouth’s bite and oral tissues seamlessly.