Crowns in the dental world are restorative dentistry devices that are fixed in place to help support broken teeth, repair damage, and strengthen weak teeth to help preserve and support functionality. These devices can help improve the appearance of your teeth, enhance tooth shape, and correct issues with alignment. Dental crowns come in a number of materials, including gold, porcelain, ceramic, and zirconia dental crowns which are comprised of zirconium oxide.
Why Should I Get Zirconia Crowns?
Considered a group 4 element the white crystal oxide type of zirconium known as Zirconia is remarkably durable, as is fitting a member of the titanium family. When compared to other materials for dental crowns it stands out as the strongest material available while retaining an appearance very similar to that of normal teeth. Zirconium is so durable, in fact, that it is also used in high pressure areas of the body like the knees, fingers, and hips as a replacement material. As part of the titanium family it also is non-reactive with living tissue, eliminating concerns of complications due to allergic reactions or rejection. Outside of their aesthetic and durability applications, they also are incredibly convenient since your dentist can make zirconia crowns right in their office. This eliminates the need of multiple visits and the delay involved while an outside lab constructs your crowns.
Are There Any Drawbacks to Zirconia Crowns?
While zirconia does bear a resemblance to the color of natural teeth, the match isn’t exact and so there may be some cosmetic concerns in certain patients. It can also be difficult for your professional to detect the presence of decay and cavities beneath this kind of crown, requiring it to be removed if one is detected. Zirconia dental crowns are so resilient that they can also cause damage to the surrounding teeth as they are comprised of a harder material than your natural teeth. This is a great thing for the durability of your crown, but can be a detriment to those you have remaining. They also tend to be more expensive than other crowns, which can be an issue in the short-term but does end up being a cost-saving point in the full life of your crown.
Zirconia crowns are a fantastic solution for most patients, combining all the best of a long-lasting reconstructive solution for their dental needs with an appearance that can be difficult to discern from your natural teeth. The initial cost of the repair is offset by the dependability that zirconia brings to the dental crown. If you’re considering having a zirconia dental crown done and want to have input from a professional it’s time to call Dr. Marian Bradford. From their office at Premier Dental of South Orange County in Aliso Viejo, CA they’ve helped patients like you make the best decisions for their restorative dentistry and oral health.