Which zirconium crowns are better?

What is zirconium dioxide?
Manufacturing and installation features
Types of zirconium dioxide crowns
What are the pros and cons
Recommendations for choosing colors
Which crowns are better?

The prosthetic procedure involves the use of artificial crowns, which serve as a replacement for a real tooth. Prostheses made of zirconium are considered the most reliable and durable, and they also look more aesthetically pleasing than products made from metal ceramics. But which zirconium crowns are better, and how to choose them correctly? A properly selected prosthesis will guarantee long service life and a beautiful smile.

What is zirconium dioxide?

When creating dental prostheses, metals are used, since one of the indicators of the quality of crowns is their reliability and resistance to stress, but not in their pure form. So many dentists recommend zirconium crowns. However, to create prostheses, it is not pure metal that is used, but zirconium dioxide, which is a material of increased strength.

Increasingly, in implantology, despite the high price, zirconium crowns are used. What is their advantage over other materials for prostheses? First of all, it is durability and color. In orthopedics, zirconium dioxide is called “white gold”. Its color is as close as possible to the natural shade of the teeth, which allows you to achieve greater naturalness after prosthetics. If the installation process is carried out in accordance with all requirements, the structure can last up to 20 years.

Since dentures made of zirconium have an impeccable appearance, they are often used in the reconstruction of anterior teeth. The material has a certain degree of transparency, thanks to which it easily adapts to the natural shade of the enamel, thus, does not stand out among the entire dentition.

Life time

With proper use and compliance with hygiene standards, the average service life of such crowns is more than 15 years. This, in turn, is twice as much as that of metal-ceramic products. However, it should be understood that this indicator largely depends on the patient’s personal preferences, as well as on the frequency of his visits to the dentist.

On the other hand, many manufacturers provide a 5-year warranty on their products, which at least protects the wearers of zirconium bridges and crowns from unforeseen circumstances.

Manufacturing and installation features

The first stage of prosthetics is the sanction of the oral cavity, including the treatment of inflammatory and carious processes. During the preparation process, the dental nerve is removed and the enamel is ground down.

The next step will be scanning the teeth and creating an image (in three dimensions) of the artificial crowns via a computer. Using special programs, a kind of sketch is created, which is placed in equipment that creates a frame part from the image.

The finished crown is fired in an oven and covered with porcelain or other material. Next, the product is painted in the desired shade and fired again.

Today, modern technology is used, which is considered universal, CAD/CAM. It meets all the requirements for the production of crowns for dental prosthetics.

Properties of zircon: proven and suspected

Good quality zircon is a rare guest on the planet, so jewelry with it can compete in cost with ruby and sapphire. Even transparent crystals are not perfectly pure; nature does not forget to dilute them with inclusions. There are not many zircon deposits on Earth. The USA, Russia, Norway, Brazil, Sri Lanka and Madagascar are all the sources of this valuable mineral. Most crystals have a cloudy structure and can pose a health hazard.

Zircon contains radioactive substances: uranium and thorium. The greater the concentration of these elements, the more cloudy and unsightly the stone becomes.

Transparent crystals used to make jewelry also contain radioactive inclusions, but in minimal doses. Are products with zircon dangerous for humans? Some people think so. The most radioactive variety includes rare green stones. But even in them the concentration of uranium and thorium is so small that it is almost completely safe for the body . However, on this basis, jewelry with cubic zirconium has surpassed its natural competitor, since they do not contain the uranium element.

In terms of brightness of shine, the artificial analogue is also the leader, since zircon’s surface looks more subdued and matte in comparison. Rock hardness is 7–8 points. Minerals are divided into two groups based on color:

hyacinths - pink, red, red-brown specimens;
jargons - brownish, yellow and golden crystals.

Zircon is rightfully considered one of the most beautiful natural gems ; it looks great in gold, platinum and silver. Rings and earrings with the mineral are expensive and few in number, and a bracelet will cost a fortune.

Nevertheless, there are always enough people willing to pay a large sum for a ring with a radioactive stone, and perhaps this is not only due to the elegant beauty of zircon. The gem is believed to have medicinal properties:

relieves headaches;
accelerates the healing of wounds, scratches, abrasions, bruises;
removes toxins and waste;
improves sleep quality, relieves insomnia;
normalizes blood pressure;
helps in the treatment of kidney and heart diseases.

There are also magical properties. The stone is considered an ideal talisman for indecisive people, as it makes it easier to choose and gives confidence. It also helps the wearer achieve harmony between body and spirit.

Astrologers advise people who are overweight or have other appearance defects to be sure to acquire a zircon talisman

The stone can also serve as a talisman, as it is capable of driving away evil eyes and other negative energy from the owner.

To whom zircon definitely suits the horoscope, it is Sagittarius and Aquarius. Other signs should listen to their feelings when buying jewelry.

Types of zirconium dioxide crowns

Manufacturers produce dentures in two versions in accordance with the features of installing crowns.

Composite (classical). This design has two parts: an internal one, which serves as a frame, and an external one. When creating them, a porcelain coating is used.
Solid. Suitable for fastening in distal areas. No ceramic coating is applied.

The appropriate type is determined by the dentist, depending on the indications.

What is the difference between zircon and zirconium

Both gems look amazing and fascinate with their bright shine, beauty of shades, beautiful color highlights and iridescences. This is where the similarities end. Let's compare natural and synthetic materials according to their main characteristics:

price – products with zircon are several times more expensive;
defectiveness - most natural samples are unsuitable for the jewelry industry;
color – cubic zirconia can be given almost any shade with the help of an admixture, but for fossils the color palette is limited;
unusual properties - natural crystals are credited with having magical and healing powers, while laboratory crystals do not have it. Because of the mystical “neutrality” of zirconium, there is no need to think about who it is suitable for and who it is not;
strength – artificial “diamonds” are stronger than zircon crystals and are more difficult to scratch;
other physical and external characteristics, chemical formula.

Both materials have their advantages and disadvantages, but both are quite rightly classified as jewelry stones: they are beautiful, strong and durable.

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What are the pros and cons

Modern dentistry offers a wide selection of prostheses. They differ in several characteristics, including cost and durability. How do zirconium oxide crowns differ from other options? The products have many advantages, especially when compared with metal-ceramic ones, but there are also several disadvantages.

Advantages.

Aesthetics. Light transparency and white tint make it possible to achieve impressive results.
Maximum product fit. Crowns are made using modern technologies (computer sketching, production on special machines, etc.). Thanks to the tight fit, the risk of developing inflammation is reduced due to the penetration of microorganisms into the gap between the artificial material and the tissues.
Hypoallergenic. Zirconium is a material characterized by absolute inertness. The development of allergies is excluded.
Reliability and durability. Dentures are resistant to any external influences and can withstand even increased load on the dental structure. Their service life is on average 15 years.
Eliminating the risk of decay of adjacent teeth. Zirconium crowns do not put pressure on other teeth.
Resistance to deformation. Despite the thinness of the product, it does not deform under any influence and retains its shape throughout the entire period of operation.

If we talk about the disadvantages, then it is worth paying attention to the transparency of the prosthesis. The product may differ from other teeth when the natural color is not white, but, for example, with strong yellowness. When deciding on the color of the material, it is recommended to take into account that a phosphorus coating is often applied to the surface of the material, which can have different shades.

Despite the strength of the structure itself, there is always a risk of damage to the coating if porcelain cladding is used. Chips significantly reduce service life. Therefore, experts recommend installing solid-type structures on chewing teeth.

Another disadvantage is the risk of abrasion of the teeth of the opposite jaw. If the patient has a tendency to wear away tooth enamel, it is better to give preference to another type of prosthesis.

Disadvantages of E-max –

High cost - compared to standard metal ceramics (but at the same time it is comparable to the cost of highly aesthetic metal ceramics with “shoulder mass”),
not on chewing teeth (on 6-7-8),
not allowed with bruxism,
it is impossible if the stump of the ground tooth is dark in color,
it is not advisable if there are a large number of missing teeth (in this case, the entire chewing load is not distributed evenly, but only on the remaining teeth, leading to their overload). We hope that our article on the topic: E-max metal-free ceramic crown, price, reviews was useful to you!

Sources :
1. Personal experience as a dentist, 2. National Library of Medicine (USA), 3. Harvard Medical School (USA), 4. https://www.ivoclarvivadent.us/, 5. https://www .realself.com/, 6. “Crowns and bridges in prosthetic dentistry” (Smith B.).

Recommendations for choosing colors

To obtain a natural effect after prosthetics, you need to pay special attention to the shade of the products. How to choose the color of zircon crowns if it seems that there is no significant difference between them?

The shade of the dentures is selected in advance, even before the construction itself is manufactured. The specialist offers the patient several options, comparing the estimated shades with natural teeth, but even if it initially seems that the denture will look natural, there may be a discrepancy, since after production the actual shade may differ.

To get the perfect result, it is better to get advice from experts first. You can also read reviews about what the color of dioxide crowns will be after prosthetics, and how to choose the appropriate option.

This is especially important if the prosthesis is installed on the anterior area of the jaw. The patient should be guided not only by the shade of the enamel of the opposite dentition, but also by the adjacent teeth. Before the procedure, you can look at a computer-processed photo that will show what zirconium crowns look like on your front teeth.

How to care

If before the start of zirconium prosthetics the patient paid due attention to oral hygiene, then after the procedure no difficulties should arise, since zirconium crowns and bridges do not require special care and the purchase of expensive products. However, the effectiveness of brushing your teeth can be increased if, together with a toothbrush, you also use special miniature brushes designed to remove food particles from hard-to-reach areas.

To maintain the normal condition of zirconium elements and natural teeth in general, it is necessary to visit the dentist at least several times a year.

Which crowns are better?

In dentistry, the most popular denture options are crowns, made of zirconium dioxide or metal ceramics. Quite naturally, the question arises - which is better.

It is better to consider each case individually, since the choice may be influenced by the presence of contraindications. But here zirconium products have an undeniable advantage - they do not cause allergies, which reduces the risk of implant rejection. Zircon has another advantage compared to metal-ceramics - a tight fit. The only disadvantage of zirconium crowns is their high cost. However, the price is justified by the characteristics of the products.

If the patient needs to have prosthetics done in a short time, given that the service life will be on average 10 years, then preference should be given to metal ceramics.

The A-Medic dental clinic provides prosthetic services using modern technology and high-quality materials. We are confident in the manufacturers of prosthetic products and the work of our specialists, therefore we provide guarantees for the services provided.

The clinic often holds promotions and discounts. You can make your smile beautiful and restore full functionality to your teeth at competitive prices.

E-max crowns: price 2021

How much does a ceramic crown cost per tooth in mid-price clinics? First of all, this will depend on which version of the E.max material the veneer or crown will be made from and, accordingly, what technology will be used (this can be either a pressing technique or CAD/CAM technology).

Ceramic crown for a tooth: price for 1 unit

A crown made from Emax PRESS material will cost you an average of 21,000 rubles, and a veneer made from this material will cost you approximately 25,000 rubles. Moreover, most often when ordering 4 or 6 veneers at once, clinics give a discount of approximately 15-20%.
A crown made of Emax CAD material will cost at least 30,000 rubles. 20,000 rubles.

Moreover, it should be taken into account that this cost usually does not include temporary crowns made of plastic (the cost of 1 temporary crown is additionally about 1500-2000 rubles). By the way, in the regions of Russia the price of the Emax PRESS ceramic crown will be slightly lower, for example, it can be about 18,000 rubles.

External differences

Usually, stones cannot be distinguished from each other on their own, especially if the zirconium has been carefully processed by professionals. It is best if, when purchasing, you contact a jeweler, who, thanks to special analyzes, will give an accurate conclusion - zircon or zirconium. However, there are several characteristics by which you can visually determine what exactly is in front of you.

Characteristics	Zircon	Zirconium
Color	The most varied: pink; black; brown; green; blue; orange; white; red center with green edging (watermelon).	Exceptional silver gray with a steely sheen
Shine	Glass, metal	Metal
Transparency	Has inclusions in the form of cracks, drops, air or gas bubbles, and natural scratches.	When processed, it achieves pure transparency. You can see the text through the stone if you attach it, for example, to a newspaper. In air it forms a film on the surface.

Where is it mined, how is it formed

Zircon is a precious stone and is characterized by a variety of unusual color shades. Formed in igneous rocks, granites, pegmatites and syenites. The crystals are formed in the form of a prism or double pyramid and have imperfect cleavage, which makes the gem fragile. In addition, the mineral is exceptional in its kind, as it is capable of emitting radioactive and ultraviolet background. It may contain various impurities - iron, copper, zinc, hafnium, titanium. The main deposits are the island of Sri Lanka, Madagascar, Brazil, USA, Norway, Russia.

Zirconium is a metal number 40 on Mendeleev's periodic table of chemical elements. Area of application: nuclear industry, aircraft industry, mechanical engineering and metallurgy. It has high anti-corrosion properties, as well as resistance to acids and alkalis. It is obtained exclusively artificially and cannot be formed under natural conditions.

Five advantages of Emax crowns

The main feature of crowns is that they are one of the most versatile and at the same time high-quality single prostheses. They have virtually no drawbacks both from a functional and aesthetic point of view.

Aesthetics

This is one of the best options for aesthetic restorations. Thanks to proprietary manufacturing technology, the doctor can adjust the color and level of transparency of the crown. The result is complete external compliance with the natural dentition.