Zirkonia Saga

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Zirkonia SAGA
What is the big fuss about it?
By Mario Dasca · 27th Nov, 2023

Welcome! Reading time: 1600 words… 10 min.

Greetings, dental maestros!

Welcome to the epic tale of Zirkonia—a dental crown material that's causing more excitement than a floss sale at a tooth fairy convention.

Strap in, and read through the 7 points we consider you need to know. This is no ordinary story; this is the "Zirkonia Saga."

1. Once upon a time in the Dental Universe: The Birth of Zirkonia

Our story begins not in a kingdom far, far away, but in the laboratories of the dental world.

Picture this: it's the late 20th century, and dental professionals are on the lookout for the next big thing.

Enter Zirkonia, the Cinderella of dental materials, waiting to be discovered and polished into the belle of the ball.

Originally developed in the 1980s for industrial applications like ball bearings (because who doesn't want their teeth to roll smoothly?), Zirkonia eventually found its way into the dental scene.

Its durability and strength made it the superhero of dental materials, ready to save the day, or should we say, the smile.

2. Zirkonia’s Rise to Crown Royalty

How did Zirkonia become a thing?….

Flashback to the late 20th century – disco balls were shining, bell-bottoms were groovy, and in the world of dentistry, something equally revolutionary was happening.

Enter Zirkonia, the unsung hero itching to break free from its industrial ball-bearing shackles.

As word got around, dental professionals were intrigued.
They were used to the porcelain crowd, but Zirkonia brought a new beat to the dental symphony.

It wasn't just a material; it was a groove..

Soon, Zirkonia was no longer that shy material in the corner. It was the dental diva, stealing the spotlight and waltzing onto the scene with a strut that said, "Move over, traditional crowns, it's time for something stronger and way more fabulous."

Dental professionals, with their high-tech instruments and stylish scrubs, welcomed Zirkonia with open arms.
Finally, a material that could handle the daily grind without losing its cool.
It was the dental equivalent of finding the perfect pair of platform shoes – stylish, durable, and ready to conquer the world.

And so, as the '80s turned into the '90s, Zirkonia became the crown royalty, the dental equivalent of a chart-topping hit.

The dental community traded high-fives (and maybe a few dance moves) as they embraced the Zirkonia revolution.

In the end, Zirkonia wasn't just a dental material; it was a symbol of breaking free from the norm and embracing a new era of dental excellence.

3. The Pros: Why Zirkonia Deserves the Crown (Literally)

Now, let's talk about perks. Zirkonia isn't your average dental material; it's the VIP of the dental crown world. Here's why:

• Strength to Rule Them All: Zirkonia is tough. We're talking superhero-level toughness. If it were a comic book character, it would be called Captain Indestructible. Say goodbye to the days of worrying about your crown surviving a walnut-cracking contest.
  
  Customisable. Zirconia is an incredibly customisable material, thanks to its chemical composition and the range of technologies that have been developed to work with the material. When it comes to zirconia crowns, that means designing for the needs of specific patients is more feasible than ever. For your patients, this helps ensure a perfect fit and long-lasting comfort.
  

• Metal-free. Zirconia crowns contain zero metal, which makes them the obvious choice for people with nickel allergies or other metal sensitivities.

• Digital friendly. Due to new technologies, zirconia crowns can be fabricated 100% digitally. You can start by taking a digital impression. The crowns are then digitally designed with CAD/CAM technology and are precisely milled so that seating requires fewer chairside adjustments.
  

• Quick and easier cementation  Zirconia crowns are cemented differently; however, the process can be simpler and more efficient than their other ceramic counterparts.
  Here’s a quick guide on this, should you ever need it.
  

• Aesthetic Royalty: Who says strength can't be beautiful? Zirkonia not only withstands the trials of daily dental life but does so with grace and style. Its translucent quality mimics the natural look of teeth, ensuring your smile looks as good as it feels.
  

• Biocompatibility Bliss: Zirkonia plays well with others. It's biocompatible, meaning it gets along splendidly with the human body. No more worries about allergic reactions or uncomfortable encounters—Zirkonia is the friendly neighbour of dental materials.
  Zirconia crowns are biocompatible. Biocompatibility means your patients don’t have to worry about their zirconia crowns negatively interacting with the living tissue in their mouth. Zirconia is non-toxic and naturally hypoallergenic.

4. The Cons: Every SAGA Needs a Twist

But, my dear readers, no saga is complete without a bit of conflict.

Zirkonia, for all its strengths, has its Achilles' heel:

Toughness Comes at a Price: While Zirkonia is practically indestructible, it can be a bit of a diva during the crafting process. Its hardness means it's not the easiest material to work with, requiring skilled hands to sculpt it into the crown of your dreams.

As for the disadvantages of zirconia crowns, although very few, we can specify: 

• The opaque appearance of some zirconia types can make the restoration look less natural than other crown materials.

• Also, they can be pricier than crowns of other materials, which makes them less accessible for patients.

Furthermore, it is essential to remember that while zirconia crowns can be an excellent option for many patients, a few potential challenges associated with zirconia crowns could present. 

Let’s examine a couple of possible zirconia crown problems—and how innovative technology can help to mitigate them:

• Discolouration – In the past, it could be difficult and time-consuming to match zirconia crowns to the colour of neighbouring teeth. Nowadays, with a large scale of digital options, like intraoral scanning technology and shade-matching workflows, creating a perfect shade zirconia crown doesn’t seem like an issue anymore.
  

• Potential damage to neighbouring teeth – Some members of the dental community have raised concerns that a hard, durable material like zirconia might wear away the comparatively soft texture of natural enamel in the neighbouring teeth. A highly skilled CAD design technician will know how to find a solution to this with proper spacing and alignment.  

• The Laboratory Setup needs to be adapted as Zirconia requires high-temperature furnaces (~1500 °C), and attention needs to be paid to maintaining the furnace and using the correct sintering temperature. Zirkonia is very strong, but only after it is sintered.

5. TIPS 😉 Just Hinting at some names in the industry

There are some (industry say…) top Zirkonia manufacturers out there….

• Lava Ultimate: 
  Lava Ultimate is a zirconia material that is known for its high strength and esthetic properties. It is made by 3M ESPE and is suitable for full-arch bridges, single crowns and implant abutments.
  

• Procera: 
  Procera is a zirconia material made by Nobel Biocare that is known for its strength and esthetic properties. It is suitable for full-arch bridges, single crowns, and implant abutments.

• BruxZir: 
  BruxZir is a solid zirconia material made by Glidewell Laboratories that is known for its high strength and durability. It is suitable for full-arch bridges, single crowns, and implant abutments.
  

• Cerec: 
  CEREC is a CAD/CAM system that allows dentists to create zirconia restorations in-house. It is suitable for single crowns, inlays, onlays, and veneers.
  

• Zirconia-reinforced lithium silicate (ZLS):
  ZLS is a type of zirconia material that is reinforced with lithium silicate. This material is known for its strength and esthetic properties, making it a suitable option for single crowns and veneers.

6. Real-Life Chronicles: What the Dental Heroes Say 

Now that we've covered the basics, let's hear from the real heroes of this saga—the dental professionals.

What can you share about the Zirkonia experience?….we asked some dentists.

Dr Richard said:  "Zirkonia is a game-changer. The durability it offers is unmatched, and my patients love the natural look it gives to their smiles. It's like upgrading from a black-and-white TV to 4K!"

On the other side of the spectrum, Dr. Callum, a quirky dentist known for his love of laughter, adds, "Working with Zirkonia is like telling a good joke—it requires precision and a bit of finesse. But the end result? Pure brilliance. It's the punchline to the perfect smile."

Are there any contraindications?… We have asked some of the Zirkonia pioneer’s technicians

They’ll tell you that there’s none….

But they all said that they wouldn’t recommend using Zirkonia for: 

• Preparations have very little reduction (less than 0.6 mm) and thin walls.

• Patients with strong biting force signs

• When the opposing contact is made of cast gold, polymer or even from another Zirkonia crown

• The case requires precision attachments

But sure, they have all asked me to …..Pssst! Don’t tell anyone!!!

7. The End of the Zirkonia Saga (For Now)

And there you have it, dear dental maestros—the Zirkonia Saga in all its glory.

From its humble beginnings in industrial applications to becoming the crown jewel of dentistry, Zirkonia has earned its place in the Dental Hall of Fame.

So, what's the fuss about Zirkonia?

It's the perfect blend of strength, beauty, and a touch of dental magic.

As the curtain falls on this saga, remember to keep smiling, because with Zirkonia in the spotlight, your teeth are always ready for their close-up.

Until next time, keep flossing and may your crowns be as unbreakable as the Zirkonia Saga itself!

Extra Resources Roundup

• Full guide on cementation of Zirkonia crowns (DEJ)

• The serious talk about Zirkonia (NCBI)

• What dentists say about Zirkonia (HL)

• Lab experts say (DPR)

Thank you for staying connected with Dental Lab Tips.  We look forward to bringing you more exciting updates from the world of dental technology.