A crown is a “cap” that covers and protects a tooth that is badly damaged, root-canal treated or replaced by an implant. Today zirconia is one of the most used materials, both for crowns and for bridges.
What zirconia is
Zirconia is a very strong ceramic, white in colour and without metal. It can be milled with great precision from a digital design and then finished in a special furnace.
The advantages
- Very strong: suitable for back teeth that carry heavy chewing forces, and for bridges.
- Natural look: no dark metal edge at the gum, as can happen with older metal-ceramic crowns.
- Biocompatible: well tolerated by the gums, with no metal allergies.
- Precise fit: with a digital scan and in-house milling, the crown fits more accurately.
Zirconia or E.max?
For front teeth where beauty matters most, E.max lithium disilicate can give even more translucency. Zirconia is usually the first choice for back teeth and for longer bridges. We choose the material together, case by case.
How long do they last?
With good hygiene and regular check-ups, zirconia crowns can last many years, often 10 to 15 years or more. Brushing, cleaning between the teeth and a night guard if you grind your teeth all help them last longer.
How it works at our clinic
We take a digital impression with an intraoral scanner, design the crown on the computer, mill it with our 5-axis milling machine and finish it in our ceramic furnace. This means fewer appointments and a very accurate result. Read more about prosthodontics at Roma Dental Clinic.