Zirconia crowns
Prosthodontics has a special place in dentistry. With its help, the dentist can help a person regain a beautiful and healthy smile that has been lost due to certain factors. In this case, the teeth are fitted with dentures made of special materials that have all the characteristics of a natural tooth. Crowns are often made of ceramic, metal-plastic and zirconium dioxide.
Zirconium crowns: what are they?
Compared to other materials, zirconium dentures have been used relatively recently - about fifteen years ago. Because of that, many patients are surprised when their dentist suggests to using zirconium products.
Zirconium crowns are one of the prosthetic options in prosthodontics. They are made from an unusual material - zirconium dioxide. The base is obtained directly from zirconium (it is particularly reliable and has a rich white colour). There are also various impurities in the mineral.
People prefer zirconium crowns because of their hypoallergenicity, full biological compatibility with the human body and resistance to mechanical damage.
In addition to crowns, zirconium is also used as a base for dental bridges.
High demand for zirconium prosthetics: Why is it so?
Even though zirconium dioxide crowns are more expensive than, for example, ceramic crowns, patient demand for them is not decreasing. On the contrary, it is constantly increasing.
In addition to the fact that zirconium is durable and fully accepted by the oral cavity and the body as a whole, there are a number of other notable features:
- Stronger than ceramic analogues - due to its resistance to various influences and increased loads, it is possible to place a prosthesis on any tooth;
- External attractiveness - a person who has nothing to do with dentistry will not be able to visually distinguish a natural tooth from a zirconium implant; the colour and transparency are as close as possible to natural tooth enamel;
- Zirconium prosthetics help correct the bite and do not interfere with the chewing function of the jaw, minimising the risk to depletion of bone tissue;
- Thin crowns are not felt on the teeth and therefore do not require extensive tooth grinding prior to placement;
- The crown does not show through the gum tissue, resulting in an aesthetic and attractive appearance after the procedure.
Crowns are also prescribed for people diagnosed with metal intolerance, as zirconium does not cause allergic reactions.
Production and fitting of crowns
The production of a crown is considered to be a complex and time-consuming process that requires specialised equipment.
Manufacturing is carried out in several stages:
- Dental impressions are taken, from which a virtual model of the prosthesis is made;
- This model is used to make the base of the future implant, which is then ground using dental equipment (machine);
- The framework is subjected to pressure and high temperatures, the base shrinks;
- The zirconium base is covered with several layers of ceramic;
- Each layer is placed in a special furnace to increase the strength of the crown and each layer.
The final step in the manufacturing process is to grind and polish the finished product. The result is a crown that completely replicates the natural tooth.
Crowns without a ceramic layer are also often offered, but in this case it is not possible to place them on the front teeth. As zirconium itself has a snow-white colour, the natural enamel will be very different.
The placement of the prosthesis begins with a visual examination of the patient's teeth. The treatment is then carried out according to the following scheme:
- Preparation of a prosthetic plan with price indication;
- Preparatory phase - treatment of caries or other problems identified during the initial examination;
- Tooth grinding;
- Taking an impression for the crown to be made later;
- Placement of a temporary plastic prosthesis while the zirconium prosthesis is being made.
Once the prosthesis has been made, the patient comes in for a fitting. The final step is the fixation of the crown by means of an adhesive.. The manipulation itself takes just over an hour.
Advantages and disadvantages of zirconium prosthetics
After understanding the characteristics of zirconium, we can conclude that this type of prosthesis has many advantages.
- The aesthetics allows you to place implants on any teeth, including zirconium crowns on the front teeth.
- The lifespan is at least fifteen years, depending on the individual.
- The weight of the prostheses is low, so there are no problems or feelings of discomfort with it.
- There is no need to depulpation the supporting teeth (removal of the nerve bundle in the tooth).
- 5. The tight fit of the crown prevents inflammation of the oral tissues, gum recession or exposure of the tooth root.
- 6. Unlike other prosthetic methods, there is no need to remove a large layer of enamel before the procedure.
There are no disadvantages to zirconium crowns. However, for some people the main disadvantage and reason for not having them is the high cost. However, the price is justified by the quality and durability. In addition, the production of zirconium itself is not cheap.
Indications for the fitting of crowns
As with any manipulation, there are a number of indications for zirconium prosthetics. First of all, it is a restoration after tooth decay or damage to the jaw, complete absence of teeth. Zirconium products are necessary for people who are allergic to metals.
However, there are also contraindications to the use of zirconium prostheses:
- Bruxism - a spasm of the chewing muscles that causes involuntary grinding of the teeth;
- Problems with the bite - it is necessary to undergo treatment with an orthodontist first, and only then - prosthetics.
It is imperative to be examined by a dentist to determine the exact diagnosis before a prosthesis is fitted.
The price of zirconium crowns is well above average. It is important to understand that cost guarantees quality. A patient can find out the exact price after a full examination and individual concerns have been addressed. For example, it is often necessary to treat decay on three teeth before a prosthesis can be fitted.
Treatment and installation of zirconium dentures in Dnipro is offered by DENTA Pro Dental Clinic. Experienced specialists, modern equipment and individual approach to patients are the main advantages.
Together with you, the dentists will pass the way to a beautiful smile.
At the first consultation, the doctor will tell you in detail about which teeth need to be treated first, about the condition of your gums and about which design you need to choose in order to fill in the missing teeth.
About what actions and manipulations need to be carried out. Learn how to take good care of your mouth so you don't have to go to the dentist as often as possible.
After discussing the above aspects, your dentist will draw up a treatment plan, guide you by the stages, timing, cost of the upcoming treatment, make, if necessary, computer diagnostics of the teeth and make an appointment for you at a convenient time for you to start treatment.
It is worth restoring a lost tooth as early as possible, because delaying such a process can lead to unpleasant health consequences and undesirable costs in the future.
Patients who seek help for tooth loss too late unwittingly start the process of destruction of other adjacent teeth, because the load during chewing is not evenly distributed.
Dental implantation is one of the most reliable and effective procedures that allows you to restore one or more teeth.
The method of dental implantation is now very popular, because it helps patients to restore lost teeth both in the upper and lower jaws without grinding pine teeth, which is always carried out during prosthetics (crowns).
With implantation, the number of lost teeth does not matter. Dental implantation is considered to be the only right way out of care for everyone, because the healing rate of implants today is over 99%!
