ZERCONICA CROWNS
What is a dental crown?
A crown is nothing but a cap to your tooth or dental implant. The crown helps to restore your tooth to its original shape, size and function. Crown can make the tooth stronger or improve the way it looks. Dental crowns can also be used to cover up a tooth that’s very worn down or severely discoloured. They can also be used in conjunction with bridges to strengthen multiple teeth
Why do I need a crown?
- You have a tooth that is cracked, worn down, or otherwise weakened.
- You have had root canal treatment — the crown will protect the restored tooth
- You have a cavity that is too large for a filling
- You want to cover a discoloured or badly shaped tooth and improve your smile
What are the different types of crowns?
Crowns are made from several types of materials. Metal alloys, ceramics, porcelain, porcelain fused to metal, or composite resin may be used. When a crown is made, the material often is coloured to blend in with your natural teeth.
Zirconia crowns
Zirconia crowns have grown more popular over the past few years for good reasons. They’re extremely durable, and match the look of natural teeth well. Despite the hype, most patients do not know much about this type of dental crown
What is Zirconia?
As the name says crowns made of zirconium are called zirconia crown. Zirconium is a member of the titanium family and is mined around the world. Zirconium makes a good choice for dental material because it is chemically unreactive. It’s known for its durability, making it an ideal product to use in dental crowns, especially posterior crowns that require a lot of strength for chewing and grinding food.
What are the advantages of Zirconia crown?
Strength: As already mentioned zirconia biggest advantage is its durability.
Longevity: Zirconia based crowns fared just as well over the course of 5 years as metal-based crowns, according to a 2017 randomized controlled trial published in the Journal of Dentistry
Biocompatibility: Zirconia crowns are biologically reactive. It’s less likely to provoke the body into producing a reaction or immunological response like inflammation.
What is the procedure of getting crown?
This process is almost the same for all the crowns be it metal-based, zirconia-based, ceramic or anything. It usually takes 2 dental visits to complete the treatment. The process goes like this.
- We (dentists) prepare your teeth first
The outer portion is removed so the crown will fit. If any decay is present it is also removed. If additional tooth structure is needed to support the crown, our dentist may build up the core of the tooth.
- Impressions are made–
To provide an exact model for the crown. The impression can be made from a mould or by digitally scanning the tooth.
- You may get a temporary crown: While you wait for the permanent crown to be ready. This usually takes less than 2 weeks. While you have a temporary crown, the tooth may be sensitive to hot and cold. Avoid chewing gum and eating sticky foods during this time. If your dentist has special equipment, then you may be able to get your new crown on the same day.
- Placing the crown: When the new crown is ready, our dentist places it in your mouth and makes the necessary adjustments. When you and your dentist are happy with how it looks and feels, the crown is cemented into place.
Should I get a porcelain layer along with Zirconia crown?
You’ve just learned that zirconia can be a little hard to match to the rest of your teeth because of the material’s opacity. That’s why some dentists will layer porcelain on top of the zirconia when making the crown.
A crown that’s composed of zirconia with a layer of porcelain will give it a more natural appearance that can be easily colour-matched to your surrounding teeth. According to some experts, the porcelain layer can make the crown a little more likely to chip or delaminate (separate into layers). That may be something to consider
What care should I take after getting crown?
Like natural teeth, crowns can break. And, the tooth under the crown can still get cavities. To prevent cavities or damage to your crown.
- Brush your teeth twice a day and clean between your teeth every day.
- Avoid chewing hard foods, ice, or other hard objects, such as pencils, especially if you have tooth-coloured crowns.
- Be sure to see us or your dentist for regular for check-ups and professional teeth cleanings.
How zirconia crowns are made?
The process of making zirconia crowns is far less complicated than the process for composite ceramic crowns. First, our dentist makes an impression of a patient’s teeth. The dentist then sends this impression to a lab, where a technician pours die into the impression to make a mould of the teeth. The technician then cuts the mould into sections and scans it using a laser, red lights, or blue-light technology. Afterwards, they upload the scan into a computer with CAD software that designs the crown. The technician may design the crown, as well.
Are there any advantages with zirconia crown?
- Limited translucence – zirconia is not as translucent as porcelain. Some dentists suggest using zirconia for posterior teeth (molars) and IPS for anterior (front) teeth.
- A bit expensive – Zirconia is generally one of the most expensive types of crown. However, the cost varies greatly from dentist to dentist. For accurate details visit us in person
- Difficult to identify decay – With crowns if you don’t take oral care chances are there for developing decays. These decays are hard to detect.
