Zirconium coating refers to the coating of the tooth with artificial dental materials, also called white steel. Zirconium is a ceramic material used in cosmetic dentistry for prosthetics to produce crowns and bridges with clearer and lighter colors. Zirconium is a 100% biocompatible material and is widely used for medical purposes, including artificial hip joints.
Zirconium dioxide crowns and bridges are very durable. These translucent, aesthetically flawless restorations found in dentistry today are five times stronger than porcelain prostheses and resemble natural teeth.
Is Zirconium a Durable Material?
In laboratory tests, it was concluded that zirconium crowns are twice as strong as metal-ceramic prostheses and five times stronger than all-ceramic restorations used in dentistry. Unlike amalgam and metal alloys used in dentistry in the past, the body perceives zirconium as a natural material, so you don’t have to worry about allergies or side reactions.
Features of Zirconium Coating
Transparency makes zirconium an excellent material for cosmetic dentistry. Due to the extreme dimensional accuracy of crowns, they can be achieved using biocompatible material. This avoids the use of invasive acid etching procedures and damage to the pulp or nerve of the tooth.
Zirconium oxide stands out primarily due to its high fracture toughness. Crack resistance refers to the resistance a material has to crack propagation. When the material is impacted, stress builds up in defective areas (pores, surface imperfections, voids) or material cracks.
An unusual property of zirconium compared to other materials is that the crystal structure changes when high voltage is introduced. This process is also accompanied by volume expansion. These two processes cause non-expanding cracks.
Due to its tensile strength, zirconium also performs excellently here. Thanks to its high tensile strength, it is ideal to bridge the posterior teeth. In addition, zirconium has a high resistance to corrosion, resistance to hydrolysis and high biocompatibility compared to other materials. All these qualities make zirconium an ideal material for restorative dentistry.
How is Zirconium Coating Made?
Zirconium dental veneer is applied in a similar way to other tooth veneer methods. We can mention that the most important difference between dental veneer treatments is the material used. In this direction, zirconium tooth coating processes are as follows.
Minor corrections are made on the teeth before starting the dental veneer process. In this way, the teeth are reduced. This allows the veneers to fit on the teeth much more comfortably and completely. Zirconium coating, which does not cause any damage to the teeth, is carried out with special measures. In line with the mouth and tooth structure, veneers are formed and adhered to the tooth. It is possible to obtain successful results with the coating processes performed in accordance with the structure and color of the tooth. When it comes to the final stage of the dental veneer, it is adhered to the tooth with special veneer adhesives. In this way, the tooth coating process is finished.
Things to Consider Before and After Zirconium Dental Veneer
There are some important details that individuals should pay attention to before and after having a zirconium crown. Within the scope of these details, it is possible to benefit from the advantages of zirconium coating.
Before the procedure, local anesthesia is applied to the patients in order not to feel any pain. There are not many details to be considered before the zirconium coating process. However, if there are conditions such as gum problems and caries treatment, these problems should be eliminated before zirconium coating processes.
It is necessary to avoid the consumption of extremely hot or extremely cold foods on the day of the zirconium coating process. In addition, it is very important not to consume hard foods. You should make an appointment for a control within the time recommended by your dentist.
The time to get used to zirconium crown teeth varies from individual to individual. Most of the patients usually get used to the coating on their teeth within 5 to 10 days.
Frequently Asked Questions
Are zirconium teeth advantageous in terms of aesthetics?
Yes. Thanks to its light transmittance, it fully reflects the natural tooth appearance.
Do zirconium teeth harmonize with the gingiva?
Yes. The teeth in question are in perfect harmony with the gingiva.
Is it possible for individuals who are allergic to metal to have zirconium coating?
There is no metal in the zirconium coating. For this reason, it is possible for individuals who are allergic to metal to have zirconium coating easily.