To date , many dental raw materials have been introduced to the market by dental material manufacturers . Some of these worked well in the first place, but then fell off the agenda; some of them did not even make their names heard. However, there is one among them, which has been considered the most effective material in dental restoration for many years. Our material is zirconia ! The most popular raw material used in dental prostheses and implants for the past 20 years . It performs better and provides more advantages when mixed with titanium.
What is Zirconia ?
Zirconia consists of zirconium dioxide. The most advantageous feature of zirconium dioxide; having the highest strength and fracture resistance among all non-metallic materials. In addition to its durability; The reason why it is widely preferred in medical materials is its surface smoothness. Zirconia ; It is widely preferred in dentistry due to its durability and translucency or opacity feature.
Why does Zirconia Become Popular in Dentistry?
As a matter of fact, in dental prostheses, the most effective substance in terms of biocompatibility is gold. However, gold crowns are no longer preferred in terms of both cost and appearance. Zirconia ; It has become more popular in dentistry as an alternative to expensive gold crowns. There are many different types of zirconia used in dentistry today. We can divide them into 3 groups according to their intended use:
- With fully compressed cavities; hard and one-piece zirconia’s.
- Zirconia’s preferred in anterior tooth restoration
- The ones used to provide maximum aesthetics in the front teeth are; full zirconia frames compressed with zirconia powder
In Which Fields Can Zirconium Be Used in Dentistry?
Zirconium is a reactive metal. Oxidation occurs when in contact with air or water. It is the oxide layer formed that makes the zircosium resistant to corrosion. Properties such as durability and corrosion resistance have inspired the use of zirconium in many areas of dentistry. We can list them mainly as follows:
- implant spacer in dental implant treatments
- Orthodontic dental treatment
- In prosthetic dental treatment ( Prosthetic dental treatment; provides both functional and aesthetic compensation and replacement of tooth losses)
- Crown bridge treatment
Is Zirconia Advantageous in Tooth Restoration ?
zirconia is considered the best material in dental restoration .
- Longevity
Zirconia is the strongest ceramic material. Compared to natural tooth enamel, it is 10 times stronger than tooth enamel. Therefore, with the right workmanship, it can be durable in tooth restoration for a long time. In order to minimize the risk of breakage, the bending strength must be calculated very well. Because the bending strength of zirconias is not as good as metal materials.
- Biocompatibility
dental materials have a risk of toxicity or allergic disposition. Zirconium, which has high corrosion resistance, is the most biocompatible raw material used in dentistry after gold. In other words, zirconium dental crowns are the most biologically compatible material with our mouth.
- Aesthetic
Porcelain is the material that offers the most visually satisfying results in aesthetic dentistry applications. porcelain teeth, It offers a more aesthetic visual than zirconia . However, zirconia , which is as strong as metal, can provide an aesthetic appearance at least as much as porcelain teeth if used without mixing with a metal-containing material. For maximum aesthetic results; layered zirconia can be made without compromising the strength of the main frame.
Is Zirconium Dental Veneer Treatment Suitable for Everyone?
For the zirconium dental crown treatment, the jaw and face development must be completed. Zirconium dental veneer treatment can be applied to individuals over the age of 18 whose face and jaw lines are settled.