Zirconia Crown Hackensack, Bergen County, NJ

Dental crowns are a reliable way to restore teeth that are severely decayed or fractured. They cover the entire tooth, replacing missing tooth structure, strength, and appearance. A crown can be made from many different materials, but zirconia crowns are increasingly popular.

What Is Zirconia?

Zirconia is one of the newer dental materials introduced over the last few decades. It is a form of ceramic, specifically zirconium oxide, and is stronger than some metal alloys and much stronger than porcelain.

A zirconia crown may be monolithic or layered. A monolithic zirconia crown is created in the finished form of the tooth, so it only needs characterizing, staining, and polishing. A layered zirconia crown has a zirconia substructure covered with porcelain specifically designed to bond to zirconia.

Why Choose a Zirconia Crown?

Zirconia dental crowns provide all the same benefits as traditional crowns. We may recommend you have a zirconia crown or another crown because of several factors outlined below.

• Prevent a weak tooth from fracturing.
• Restore a broken down or worn-down tooth.
• Cover a tooth after root canal treatment.
• Cover a tooth that has received a large dental filling and needs extra strength.
• Cover teeth that are stained or misshapen.
• Improving your occlusion, or the way your teeth bite together.
• Protect teeth from bruxism.

However, zirconia can offer other benefits.

What Are the Benefits of Choosing a Zirconia Crown?

Aesthetics

Zirconia is naturally white, making it ideal when restoring a front tooth. Layered zirconia crowns can be made from pre-shaded zirconia and then covered with porcelain to create beautiful, aesthetically pleasing restorations suitable for anywhere in the mouth. These are ideal when cosmetics are important.

Because restorations are entirely metal-free, there is no risk of a metal substructure shining through. No dark lines can appear around the margin of the crown, which can be a problem with a PFM, porcelain fused to metal crown.

The naturally white color of zirconia is opaque enough to hide a severely discolored tooth preparation underneath. It is also ideal for restoring dental implant abutments.

Biocompatibility

Zirconia is an inert material that is highly biocompatible. There is minimal risk of any sensitivities or allergies to this material. It is also kind to the surrounding gum tissue. Because it is so smooth, it makes it harder for bacteria to adhere to zirconia and easier for gums to attach around the crown.

Strength

Zirconia is far stronger and less likely to chip or crack than other dental materials like glass ceramics and composite. It’s a monolithic ceramic, meaning it is made without adding other materials. Because it is so strong, zirconia protects the tooth underneath and can easily withstand biting and chewing forces.

Kind to Opposing Dentition

When choosing a suitable restoration, think about its effect on your opposing teeth. Every time you bite down or chew, these teeth could be worn down if you have a less biocompatible restoration.

This can be especially important for anyone with bruxism, where they clench and grind their teeth, subjecting them to even greater forces that can easily chip and crack them. A form of zirconia that will not harm the opposing teeth and yet has excellent strength and good aesthetics is produced especially for people with bruxism.

Are There Any Downsides in Choosing a Zirconia Crown?

Although the zirconia is naturally white, it can be hard to match to real teeth, so it often needs an outer coating of porcelain specially created for these restorations. Choosing this option can provide good aesthetics, but some dentists initially found translucency to be problematic when fabricating earlier zirconia crowns due to their bone-white appearance. However, newer types of zirconia have largely addressed this issue by introducing more translucent materials.

What is the Process for a Zirconia Crown?

The process for having a zirconia crown is very similar to any other crown.

• First, our top dentist will need to numb the tooth to remove some material without causing any discomfort.
• Next, a detailed dental impression is taken using a tiny handheld scanner. Taking a digital dental impression is more comfortable for patients and ensures the zirconia crown is precision-made so it fits exactly and tightly around the gum margin.
• CADCAM technology is used to design your new crown before it is milled from a solid block of zirconia into the correct size and shape.
• Once milled, the crown must be baked or sintered, which helps provide its final strength.
• The crown is then ready to be coated with lifelike porcelain if needed. Otherwise, it may be characterized and hand-finished and is then ready to fit in your mouth.

Just like an ordinary crown, it usually takes a couple of weeks to complete, so after your tooth is prepared, we protect it with a temporary crown. You will need a second visit to have your crown tried in, fitted, and adjusted as necessary before it is permanently bonded in place.

How Much Will a Zirconia Crown Cost?

Zirconia crowns are typically more expensive compared with other crowns. You may find your dental insurance covers all or part of the cost of the crown. We can provide a more accurate quotation when you visit My New Jersey Dentist.

Caring for a Zirconia Crown

Your new zirconia crown is easy to look after. You can brush it using an ordinary soft-bristled toothbrush and fluoride toothpaste, and you should floss around it daily. Regular dental exams and hygiene appointments allow us to check its condition regularly and clean it professionally. Your new dental crown should last for years to come with the right oral care.

If you need a new crown, zirconia is just one option available. When you visit our dental clinic, we can discuss the cost of zirconia crowns and show you samples of this material.