The correlation between smiles and self-esteem cannot be denied. In modern dentistry, different procedures are available for a picture-perfect smile. Dental crowns are one of them. Dental crowns are tooth-shaped caps that are placed over a damaged tooth to restore its strength and appearance. Due to advancements in dentistry, a wide range of dental restoration materials are available. These materials impact the performance of the restorations. Two popular choices are zirconia and porcelain.
In this article, we’ll compare zirconia crown vs porcelain,. By the end of this article, you’ll be able to determine which material is better suited for your dental needs.
Zirconia Crowns
Zirconia dental crowns are made of zirconium dioxide which is a type of ceramic material. Although zirconia is a newer material in dentistry it has proved to be a game-changing material. Zirconia crowns are not only strong but provide excellent aesthetics.
Types of Zirconia crowns
Following are the types of zirconia crowns Based on the types of material used in the manufacturing
- Monolithic Zirconia: Solid or monolithic zirconia dental crown is made from one single block of zirconia. It has high consistency which makes it the most durable option.
- Layered Zirconia: This type of zirconia dental crown is covered with an outer layer of porcelain. This coating makes it suitable for anterior restorations.
- High Translucent Zirconia: If you want a natural-looking material that also provides strength high translucent zirconia crown is the best option. For example, Ezneer by Aidite is a high translucency zirconia that offers translucency and strength.
Pros of Zirconia Crowns
By choosing Zirconia Crowns you get the following advantages:
- Zirconia dental crowns are 100% metal-free and biocompatible.
- They are wear-resistant and will last for a long time.
- Zirconia crowns are resistant to stains and discoloration.
Cons of Zirconia Crowns
Zirconia crowns have the following disadvantages:
- Due to low translucency, zirconia crowns are not suitable for anterior restorations.
- They are difficult to repair.
- Zirconia crowns tend to be more expensive than other types of crowns.
Porcelain Crowns
Porcelain crowns are made of ceramic material. They are ideal for highly visible areas because of their natural appearance. They can be precisely color-matched to the natural teeth. If you are looking to restore the appearance and function of your smile porcelain crowns are a good choice.
Pros of Porcelain Crowns
Let’s look at the benefits of getting porcelain crowns:
- Their smooth surface helps resist plaque buildup and staining.
- Compared to metal crowns they are more comfortable.
- Their installation requires minimal tooth reduction.
Cons of Porcelain Crowns
Here are some of the downsides of choosing porcelain crowns:
- They are not as long-lasting as zirconia.
- For high-pressure bearing areas, they are not suitable. Because under pressure they are prone to cracking.
- After a few years, porcelain crowns may need replacement.
Zirconia Crown vs Porcelain
Let’s compare different factors between zirconia crown vs porcelain. These key aspects can help determine which material is better for specific dental cases.
Strength and Durability
When comparing strength in zirconia crown vs porcelain crown, zirconia stands out. Zirconia has a flexural strength between 900 to 1200MPa. In contrast, the strength of porcelain is between 350-550MPa.
Appearance
Zirconia crowns are white and look decent but they lack high translucency of natural teeth. They are more suitable for back teeth. On the other hand, porcelain crowns are highly natural-looking.
When comparing aesthetics in zirconia crown vs porcelain, porcelain is preferred.
Wear on Opposing Teeth
One downside of using zirconia is its hardness. It causes wear on the opposing teeth. While porcelain is a softer material. It has a lower risk of causing wear on surrounding teeth.
Cost
Before deciding on a material it is very important to consider the cost. Zirconia crowns can cost somewhere between $1100 to $2500. Porcelain crowns can cost between $800 to $2500. When considering Zirconia crown vs porcelain price, zirconia crowns are generally more expensive.
Longevity
Zirconia crowns can last between 10 to 15 years or longer with proper care. Their resistance to fractures makes them long-lasting. Porcelain crowns last 5 to 10 years. If they are damaged they may require replacement sooner.
Preparation
In terms of preparing teeth zirconia requires less preparation. Since it can be made thinner it requires less removal of tooth structure. Porcelain is more brittle so it requires extensive shaping of the tooth.
Which one is Better: Zirconia Crown vs Porcelain?
It won’t be right to declare one material as the best one. Which material is right for you depends on your personal preferences. If you are looking for a strong and durable material zirconia is a better choice. But you should also consider that zirconia can lack aesthetic appeal. In contrast, if aesthetics matter to you the most and you are ready to compromise on strength and durability porcelain crown is right for you.
Other factors like the location of the crown, aesthetics, and requirements of the patient also matter.
Why Zirconia is a Better Choice?
Zirconia is a better choice because it has many advantages over porcelain crowns:
- Zirconia can handle strong chewing forces. It is also suitable for patients with bruxism. It is also resistant to high and low temperatures in the mouth.
- Zirconia crowns last longer than other types of crowns including porcelain ones.
- Unlike porcelain crowns they are stain-resistant. You do not need to worry about your crowns getting stained while enjoying your favorite food.
- Zirconia is biocompatible and is safe to use in the human body. Over time porcelain detaches but it does not.
FAQs about Zirconia Crown vs Porcelain
Are zirconia crowns better than porcelain?
If you are looking for crowns that are strong, durable, and last longer then yes, zircona crowns are better than porcelain. But remember that in some cases dentist might recommend porcelain over zirconia crowns.
What is the difference between zirconia and porcelain crowns?
Zirconia and porcelain differ in terms of strength, cost, durability, and appearance. In terms of strength, zirconia is more durable and fracture-resistant. Talking about porcelain it offers superior aesthetics but is more prone to chipping.
Which is better: zirconia crown vs porcelain fused to metal?
Zirconia is better than porcelain fused to metal. Porcelain fused to metal is affordable but it lacks natural appearance and longevity. Zirconia crowns are resistant to fractures and require less tooth reduction.
What looks more natural zirconia or porcelain?
Porcelain looks more natural than zirconia. Zirconia is opaque so it does not look exactly like natural teeth.
Conclusion
In conclusion, the material used in dental restoration impacts its performance very much. In modern dentistry zirconia and porcelain are popular choices. Both materials offer distinct advantages and disadvantages. The main features of zirconia crowns are strength, durability, and longevity. It is the strongest material even for patients with bruxism. However, zirconia has some aesthetic limitations. There are some advanced materials available that have high translucency like Aidite zirconia material. By choosing this material you get unmatched strength without compromising on aesthetics.
Porcelain crowns are not as durable as zirconia but provide superior aesthetics. In the Zirconia Crown vs Porcelain comparison, zirconia excels in strength and durability.