A dental crown is an investment in your smile and improves your overall dental health. It is the common restorative procedure to treat issues like missing or damaged teeth.
Porcelain is considered a standard choice for dental crowns, but have you considered zirconia?
Porcelain vs. Zirconia: This can be an exciting debate because both crowns have their fan base. While porcelain has been used as the primary material for detailed crowns, zirconia has quickly emerged as the best alternative for someone looking for strength and aesthetics.
If you’re trying to figure out which material would be best for your dental crown, this blog can help. We’ll compare these two different materials and analyze how they could affect your dental health and lifestyle choices. As this is an important decision, it’s prudent to spend time considering your options carefully.
Understanding Dental Crowns
Simply put, a dental crown, the tooth-shaped caps used to restore a broken, decayed, or worn-down tooth, is also used to cover root canal-treated teeth and dental implants. Dental crowns are designed from various materials, such as resin, metal, porcelain, or zirconia. Most importantly, dental crowns can restore the natural look of stained or misshapen teeth, boosting your confidence to smile again.
Zirconia Crown vs Porcelain: Which One Is Better?
Choosing a suitable material is crucial when designing your dental crown. Zirconia and porcelain are among the two most popular materials used, and they are known for their unique qualities. Keep reading until the end to make an informed decision.
Zirconia dental crowns
Zirconia is a durable dental material that can withstand high pressure, making it ideal for those who grind or clench their teeth. It is also best suited for anyone allergic to metal crowns. A crown designed from zirconia material is extremely durable and inherently biocompatible.
Porcelain dental crowns
On the other hand, porcelain has been a popular choice for dental crowns for many years as it can mimic the natural look of teeth. Porcelain crowns are custom-colored to match your surrounding teeth, making them a highly preferred choice for cosmetic reasons.
Selecting the Right Crown for Your Needs
You should choose the right crown based on your lifestyle and your eating habits. For example, if you lead an active lifestyle or are an athlete, zirconia may be the ideal choice as it can effectively withstand wear and tear. On the other hand, if a perfect smile is your priority, you could go for porcelain crowns.
Your dentist can help you choose the best crown material based on your dental history and needs.
Let us compare both materials with respect to different factors to help you make an informed decision:
- Strength and Durability:
Zirconia crowns are known for their strength and durability. This material is resistant to fractures and chipping, making it the ideal choice for posterior teeth that undergo a lot of chewing pressure. In comparison, porcelain crowns, though durable, are not as strong as zirconia. Porcelain is more susceptible to minor fractures, especially for people who grind their teeth or have bruxism. - Aesthetics:
If you are looking for natural aesthetics, porcelain crowns are ideal for you. Porcelain is inherently translucent in nature and mimics the appearance of natural teeth. Porcelain materials’ texture, colour, and light-reflecting properties will blend remarkably well with your surrounding teeth. It is the best choice when restoring your front teeth, where aesthetics are critical. On the other hand, Zirconia provides a different level of transparency than porcelain. Zirconia are robust but less translucent, so they are best suited for restoring posterior teeth. - Biocompatibility:
Porcelain and zirconia are both biocompatible materials. This means they are generally well-tolerated by the body and pose minimal risk of causing adverse allergies or reactions. However, it’s important to note that individuals who have specific sensitivities or allergies should discuss their options with their dentist to ensure that the material they choose is suitable for them. - Longevity And Maintenance
Your dental crown’s lifespan depends on the material you choose for a fit. The longevity also depends on how well you maintain them. Regarding quality, Zirconia crowns are durable and can last up to 15 years or even more when well maintained. On the other hand, porcelain crowns are also durable but can survive for around 5 to 15 years with proper care. You may experience signs of normal wear and tear when your porcelain crown’s lifespan is 10 or 11 years.
Conclusion
While selecting materials for your dental crown, you need to understand your personal preferences and factors like the cost, installation process, and how long your chosen crown will last. This will help you make a choice that’s right for your dental health and lifestyle goals.
Zirconia crowns are durable and biocompatible, making them ideal for those with metal allergies or active lifestyles. On the other hand, if you want a crown that looks great and serves its functional purpose well, porcelain crowns are the better choice. They look natural and enhance the appearance of your teeth. When it comes to dental crowns, choosing between zirconia and porcelain depends on several factors, such as strength, aesthetics, and biocompatibility.
At Gnathos Dental, we understand that this choice can be overwhelming. That’s why we offer personalized guidance to help you navigate these considerations and select the best material for your needs. Whether you prioritize durability or aesthetics, we’re here to ensure that your dental crown not only enhances your smile but also supports your overall oral health for years to come.