For the first time the zirconium crown was used in 1998. at the Dental Clinic of the University of Zurich (Switzerland) and since then its popularity has continued to grow. What is a zirconia crown, what are its advantages, and how could we compare zirconia with metal-ceramics and ceramics?
What is a zirconia crown?
A zirconia crown is a type of dental crown that uses zirconium dioxide as the raw material to make it. Specialists can use it to cover both natural teeth and crowns and bridge structures on dental implants.
Today, zirconium dioxide is a worthy substitute for dental alloys in the manufacture of dental crowns, bridge structures, factory and individual implants.
Prosthetic dentistry uses zirconia for a long time as a base for dental crowns, then coated with ceramic for better aesthetics. The ceramic can peel off from the zirconium base, and for this reason, in recent years, dental technicians make structures in which the ceramic inlay is only on the vestibular, i.e. the visible side. The so-called liquid ceramics are also gaining popularity. The layer of inlay is only a few tenths and no peeling of the aesthetic layer is observed. In recent years, research has been done on how to use zirconia and its capabilities while almost completely avoiding ceramics.
Advantages of zirconia:
- With proper preparation of the tooth and good workmanship, tailored to the particularities of the relevant clinical case, zirconium structures are sufficiently strong and reliable;
- Zirconium is absolutely compatible with the human body. It is not metal and does not cause allergies;
- Where the surfaces of zirconia restorations are polished, they limit the adhesion of bacterial plaque;
- Zirconia is opaque, unlike pure ceramic, so specialists can place it on dark bases (metal superstructures, etc.) restorations can become extremely aesthetic when covered with ceramic;
- The zirconium crown has a low thermal conductivity, which allows the consumption of hot and cold food and drinks without experiencing discomfort caused by the temperature if the crown is on a vital tooth.

What types of zirconium are there?
According to the transfocent, zirconium dioxide can be low transfocent – about 1400 MPa , normal transfocent – about 1200 MPa and high transfocent – between 650 – 900 MPa (varies according to manufacturers).
Depending on the coloring, the zirconium can be white or colored according to the most commonly used Vita colors Classic .
The latest generation of zirconia are 3D , 4D zirconia discs. It is characteristic of them that the cervical layer has a lower transparency and higher strength. And in the incisal area the transfocent is higher. This type of zirconia is called multilayer zirconia.
2 phases of generations
Zirconium undergoes constant development and changes in its use. Therefore, it is necessary to distinguish 2 phases or generations:
- layered zirconia (zirconia base and ceramic coating)
- monolithic zirconium (contour, anatomical) and the latest generation of modern zirconium, which is called multilayer zirconium – 3D , 4D , etc.
Layered zirconia is used as a metal substitute in the manufacture of dental crowns. The greatest benefit of this type of zirconium is the high aesthetics, but its disadvantage is the risk of cracking.
Multilayer zirconia has a different structure because it has a reduced amount of aluminum oxide stabilizer (from 0.25% to 0.05%), which increases transparency and allows its use in a separate component (without ceramics).
Monolithic zirconia is available in a variety of shapes and structures, each designed to address a specific clinical case, such as:
- for bridges (greater strength and less transparency);
- for lateral/back teeth (molars) with the right balance of transparency and strength;
- for front teeth – higher transparency, milder strength;
- for front and back teeth (ceramic-free due to multi-layer structure).
Advantages and disadvantages of working with zirconium
- Precision of workmanship: The zirconia is modeled and milled entirely using CAD CAM technology – therefore, it is all controlled using a computer. Zirconia constructions are very precise.
- Time: Some of the most popular modeling software are EXOCAD, 3Shape, Dental wings . Depending on the complexity of a given clinical case, an experienced dental technician can model one crown in about 5-6 minutes. Cutting the crown takes about 10 – 12 minutes.
- Aesthetics: Zirconium dental crowns are highly esthetic. Dental technicians can easily recreate various natural effects such as stains, small cracks or structural irregularities found in the natural tooth.
- Risks: The biggest risk with zirconia and even metal-ceramic crowns is chipping of the ceramic. With monolithic zirconium crowns, there is no such risk, because the ceramic is missing.
- Investment and cost: The initial financial investment in CAD A CAM system is serious. For smaller dental labs, this is often not feasible and takes time to reach a full return on investment.
Summary:
Due to the above-mentioned qualities, zirconium dioxide has become an extremely popular material for making dental prosthetic structures. The production is entirely digital. Although we must always move forward with evolution and modernization, a dental technician is always needed. The artist’s hand will be able to best reproduce the individual details of the new dental crown to approximate the adjacent natural tooth and the product will look beautiful in the patient’s oral cavity.
Sources:
- 22.09.2023; Yakovenko Vladislav Olegovich; “Dental crowns – what they are and how to choose”; https://vidnova.ua/ru/stati/koronki-na-zuby-kakie-byvayut-i-kak-vybrat.html
- Travel to the dentist; https://traveltodentist.com/ru/blog/ortopedicheskaya-stomatologiya/koronka-iz-cirkoniya/
- 29.01.2018; Quintessence Publishing Deutschland ; “Materials Science Update: Zirconium Oxide and Its Generations – From Veneered to Monolithic”; https://www.quintessence-publishing.com/deu/de/news/zahntechnik/materialien/werkstoffkunde-update-zirkonoxid-und-seine-generationen-von-verblendet-bis-monolithisch
- Multidisciplinary medical center; “Zirconia, metal-ceramic or ceramic: which is better to choose for crowns?”; https://kdc.clinic/stomatologicheskie-uslugi/tsirkonij-metallokeramika-ili-keramika-chto-luchshe-vybrat/