Can Zirconia Crowns Crack

Can Zirconia Crowns Crack?
A dental crown is a cap that covers a tooth and protects it if it is damaged or worn down. A tooth that is cracked, chipped, fractured, or broken will certainly benefit from a dental crown. Dentists now prefer to use zirconia for dental crowns because it is the strongest material available. Zirconia crowns can last decades, even a lifetime, with good oral hygiene and consistent dental checkups.
Why Would You Need a Dental Crown?
Before your crown placement is started, your dentist will perform an examination to identify the cause in why it is needed. Crowns are usually used on teeth that have been compromised somehow. The most frequent reasons for needing a zirconia crown include:
* The tooth has been cracked, chipped, broken, or fractured.
* You had a root canal on the tooth, and it is beneficial to protect the weakened natural tooth.
* The tooth has a large dental filling and has been structurally compromised.
* A dental implant was surgically placed, and the crown is now your new artificial tooth.
The Different Materials Used for a Dental Crown
The types of materials that can be used for crowns include:
* porcelain
* composite resin
* ceramic
* zirconia
* metal
* a combination of materials
You could have a porcelain crown that is fused with metal, as opposed to just an all-porcelain crown.
Why Consider a Zirconia Crown?
Zirconia restorative crowns are made from zirconia dioxide, or a metal oxide. The amazing strength of zirconia when used for dental crowns comes from its crystal properties. Zirconia does not need any metal substructure for stability because it is unbelievably durable and difficult to crack.
The benefits and advantages of choosing zirconia for your dental crown include:
* It is incredibly durable.
* Zirconia is biocompatible, meaning it will not create any adverse reactions in your body.
* It will match the color and shade of your natural teeth.
* It can be created in your dental office and needs much less preparation, which means you can be fitted for your new crown in one appointment.
* Zirconia can be layered with porcelain for an even more natural tooth appearance.
* It can be either bonded or cemented to your tooth, giving your dentist more options.
Can a Zirconia Dental Crown Crack
A zirconia crown can actually fracture. Although exceptionally rare, it can happen from poor prep design, inappropriate material selection, or poor handling.
* The main prep design problem is not allowing enough space for the crown.
* Another problem may be if your dentist prepared for a high-quality brand zirconia but used an inferior zirconia product. Not all of Zirconia is the same and the prep clearance requirements will vary.
* Leaving sharp corners or edges can be another prep design problem. This might create a contact point where the crack can begin. Abnormal stress concentration can occur if a sharp edge of the tooth meets the zirconia.
* There might be a flaw with the lab that manufactures the material causing an imperfection which will crack.
* Your dentist can cause a zirconia crown to crack by drilling on the crown. This is done when adjusting a crown to fit during the tooth preparation.
Finally, the most common cause of a zirconia crown cracking is that the crown was designed too thin.