What is zirconia?
Zirconia (zirconium dioxide) is a white, metal-free ceramic. It is extremely strong and very well tolerated by the gum, which is why it is used for crowns, bridges and the final arches on implants. It is milled from a solid block on the basis of a digital scan and then sintered in a furnace, where it shrinks to its final, very hard state.
There are different generations. Older zirconia was strong but chalky white. Newer types are more translucent and come in graded shades, so they look much closer to a natural tooth. The trade-off is that the more translucent types are a little less strong, so the ceramist chooses the type by position in the mouth.
Monolithic or layered zirconia, what is the difference?
| Monolithic zirconia | Layered zirconia | |
|---|---|---|
| How it is made | One solid piece, coloured and glazed | Zirconia core with porcelain layered by hand on top |
| Strength | Highest; no layer to chip | The outer porcelain layer can chip |
| Appearance | Good on back teeth, can look flat on front teeth | Close to a natural front tooth |
| Typical use | Molars, bridges, people who grind | Front teeth where appearance comes first |
For back teeth, where the forces are highest, monolithic zirconia is often the sensible choice. For front teeth, either layered zirconia or a glass ceramic such as e.max gives more life to the colour.
Where do zirconia crowns work well?
On teeth that need strength: molars and premolars, teeth that are broken or heavily filled, teeth after root canal treatment, and bridges that replace a missing tooth. They also suit people who grind or clench, because a well-polished monolithic crown is very unlikely to break.
Zirconia is also the usual material for the final arch in All-on-4 and All-on-6, where a single piece has to carry the bite of a whole jaw.
Where does zirconia fall short?
Mainly in appearance on front teeth, if it is not chosen and finished with care. Solid zirconia lets less light through than enamel or glass ceramic, so a single zirconia crown next to natural front teeth can look slightly opaque. Layering, careful colouring and a good ceramist reduce this, and for a single front tooth e.max is often the better match.
Zirconia is also hard to adjust once it is cemented, and a chip in a layered crown is difficult to repair in the mouth. A rough zirconia surface can wear the opposite teeth, which is why a high polish matters. Our guide on e.max or zirconia compares the two in detail.
Does a zirconia crown mean grinding the tooth down?
Yes, as with any crown, the tooth is shaped on every side to make room, usually by one to one and a half millimetres. This is right for a tooth that is already damaged, but it removes far more healthy tooth than a veneer. That is why we do not suggest crowns on healthy front teeth only to change their colour. The guide on whether veneers mean filing teeth down explains the difference.
How long do zirconia crowns last?
Clinical studies show most zirconia crowns still functioning after ten years, and many last much longer. What shortens their life is rarely the material itself. It is decay at the edge of the crown, gum disease, a poor fit, or heavy grinding without a night guard.
A crown is only as healthy as the tooth and gum under it. Our guide on how long veneers, crowns and implants last explains what you can do to make them last.
How do you care for zirconia crowns?
Like natural teeth: brush twice a day, clean between the teeth with floss or small brushes, and see a dentist for check-ups and professional cleaning. If you grind at night, a night guard protects both the crowns and your other teeth. Our guide on caring for veneers and crowns covers the daily routine.
What should a crown quote name?
The material and type for each tooth (monolithic or layered zirconia, or e.max), who makes the crowns and where, whether a try-in is included, and what the aftercare covers. The crowns page shows how five days in Antalya are planned, with the crowns made in our own lab next door.