• Home
  • Biggest Change in 21stCentury Modern Dental Technology is Zirconia

Biggest Change in 21stCentury Modern Dental Technology is Zirconia

November 12, 2019 Andrew 0 Comments

Technology has given dentists a durable tooth colored ceramic with the qualities of strength, wear resistance, tolerated by gums and is tooth colored called Zirconia. Original BruxZir Zirconia crowns have been on the market for 10 years. In last 5 years it has become the number one material used to make dental crowns and bridges. Computer-aided design and computer–aided manufacturing (CAD/CAM) has sparked non-metal crown growth from under 10% usage to over 90% during this time.

Q: What is a crown?

 

A: A dental crown is a restoration which completely caps and covers a tooth.  They are used to improve the form, function, strength and appearance of a damaged tooth or to cover a dental implant.  Crowns originally were made of all gold. Technology in the 1960s and 1970s gave us porcelain covered gold crowns and all porcelain crowns. This improved cosmetics, but porcelain is not as durable as a natural tooth or solid metal.  Twenty-first century CAD/CAM (3D Printer) technology has developed a chip proof solid all-ceramic crown. Computers are utilized to design and mill by machine these restorations from a solid block of ceramic. These meet the dentist’s requirements for fit and high-strength, your desire of being tooth colored. There is no metal sensitivity or allergies with these ceramics.

 

Q:  How can I have a broken tooth repaired to look like my original tooth?

 

A:  A Dentist is responsible for a thorough examination and proper diagnosis to determine the best treatment for the patient, evaluate the benefits versus the risk and determine which treatments are necessary. Fillings are designed to go inside a tooth. Worn, broken and cracked teeth, weakened teeth with large restorations with excessive decay may not leave enough healthy tooth structure to support a replacement filling.  Root canaled teeth need crown coverage to protect against tooth breakage. Ceramic crowns are used as needed to restore the tooth back to its original size and shape, so it can work like the original tooth structure.

 

Q: How long will the tooth restored with a crown last?

A: With a miniscule fracture rate Zirconia crowns covering the tooth, have the expectation for many years of service.  Proper maintenance is important to prevent decay around the crown. Like any tooth the tissue around it can get gum disease.

Dental crowns are one of many choices in restoring your teeth back to proper function. The decision about how to restore teeth is determined between the patient and dentist.

The question in my future is what technology will bring about the best dentistry.

Updated Covid-19 Protocols

When scheduling please let us know if:

• You are showing any signs or symptoms of Covid-19

• You have traveled outside the U.S. or hosted any out-of-country visitors recently

• Have had any personal exposure to someone else who has been exposed to Covid-19

For a consult or to make an appointment date please call  (410) 975-9331

- Dr Jeff Cranska