What are the differences between pure zirconia and ceramic layered crowns?

There’s a lot of talk about zirconia dental crowns these days, but did you know that there’s more than one type of pure zirconia crown ? There are actually two types, which are not the same! Let’s follow the differences between Pure Zirconia Crowns and ceramic layered Crowns. In addition, we will present the benefits of the most modern crown, which uses computer graphics, the Pure Zirconia Crown, also called Translucent Zirconia.

First of all, in order to differentiate between the two types, let’s highlight the method used to make each one. While one relies on a super-modern method with computer graphics for its preparation, the other still has an artisanal stage with manual application of porcelain by a prosthodontist. They can be used for single crowns, crowns on individual dental implants, fixed prostheses and even total implants, with the modern zirconia protocol prosthesis.

This way, by the end of the text it will be clear that even though both options have zirconia, not all zirconia crowns are the same! Let’s get to know the important differences below:

Zirconia crowns combine strength and superior aesthetics for more natural results

Decay, a dental fracture or simply the loss of a tooth are enough to compromise the look and functionality of the dental arch, especially if the problem occurs in the front.

Therefore, in order to restore the aesthetics and function of the smile, it is natural to look for options that restore or make up for a missing tooth in a way that achieves the most natural and harmonious result possible. Whether for a crown on a tooth root or on a dental implant, zirconia is the material that offers this excellence. We can highlight the main advantages of zirconia:

Range of shades very similar to human tooth enamel.
Unlike metal-ceramic crowns, zirconia crowns have no metal parts in their construction. Therefore, there are no dark shadows when subjected to a beam of light, and there is no risk of a metal line appearing if the gums recede.
Fracture and stain resistant material
A fully or partially computerized manufacturing method, which makes treatment faster and more precise. The speed of digital zirconia crown production

CAD/CAM zirconia dental crowns

Zirconia oxide dental crowns are considered the most modern crowns thanks to their advanced technical and aesthetic properties. The shade and translucency of this high-performance ceramic are very similar to natural teeth.

The construction of dental crowns made from pure zirconia is totally unique and innovative, as these crowns are digitally designed using computer graphics and the CAD/CAM system, resulting in more precise pieces and much faster. The equipment has robotic arms that mill a block of zirconia until it reaches the designed shape. This type of crown has the highest resistance of all the dental crown options available. In addition, it allows for greater patient comfort throughout the treatment because it only uses digital readings, with a 3D scanner, without the need for the old mass moldings.

The CAD/CAM pure zirconia crown manufacturing method is 100% digital, while the ceramic layered zirconia crown, which we’ll see below, has a handmade interface, with mass molding and manual application of porcelain on the outside.

Zirconia crown with porcelain ceramic layered (zirconia + porcelain)

It is a crown in which the inner part is made of zirconia and the outer layer is made of ceramic layered material. Only the inner part of the tooth structure is made of zirconia, while the outer part is made of porcelain. The layered zirconia crown is more artisanal, as it requires a prosthetist to manually apply the outer porcelain layer.

What are the differences between pure zirconia and ceramic layered crowns? 2

After the ceramic is applied to the zirconia structure, the crown undergoes a sintering phase in a kiln. In this way, each layer of ceramic applied takes on a spectrum of color, translucency and opacity in the crown, seeking to reproduce the color variation of natural teeth.

coroa zirconia aplicada 50kb — *Zirconia frame x crown with ceramic applied*

ponte de zirconia sem metal posterior 50kb — *Applied zirconia crowns, top and inside view*

Coroa dentaria zirconia e porcelana cortada ao meio 50kb — *Crown cut in half showing internal zirconia structure and porcelain/ceramic layer.*

Zirconia full denture with ceramic applied. Note that in addition to characterizing the teeth, the ceramic gingiva has also been characterized. Both the crown and the applied zirconia prosthesis have no shadows or dark spots, even in very bright environments. The zirconia of the internal structure has a shade very similar to that of human dentin, which is the inner part of natural teeth. The ceramic, on the other hand, has resistance, color, translucency and texture very similar to tooth enamel. This type of crown or total prosthesis already has huge gains compared to metal-ceramic, which has a metal structure and a porcelain exterior.

Pure milled zirconia crown

The pure zirconia crown is milled from a multilayer zirconia block, meaning that the block is already produced with the different layers of color and translucency just like the teeth. In other words, the pure zirconia crown model does not need a layer of ceramic to reproduce the shades and translucency of the teeth. After milling, it goes straight into the kiln. It represents the most resistant material available in dentistry today, in addition to the natural aesthetic result, similar to natural teeth.

fresagem impressora3D dentes ceramill 50kb

protese zirconia pura antes e depois 50kb — *Pure zirconia full dentures milled and after sintering in the furnace*

coroas zirconia multilayer 50kb — *Pure zirconia crowns*

What is the best type of zirconia crown?

Nowadays, patients are looking for comfort when undergoing dental treatment. In addition, they want a treatment with high durability and aesthetic results. The CAD/CAM Zirconia Crown meets all these requirements precisely because of the characteristics of the material and the method of execution using digital design and a 3D scanner. Without the need for the uncomfortable mass moldings of old.

The production of CAD/CAM pure zirconia crowns, due to the fact that no manual ceramic finishing work is required, allows faster work to be carried out. If the need is for faster treatment, and the patient is looking for the most modern treatment, this is undoubtedly the best option.

Totally metal-free rehabilitation: is it possible?

Yes, in the event that you need to replace a missing tooth with a dental implant and prosthetic crown, this rehabilitation can be done with a ceramic implant as well as a zirconia crown. In this way, we achieve a metal-free implant treatment. This has been a trend for followers of biological dentistry, who are looking for dental treatments without any metal.

implantes ceramicos coroas zirconia pura 50kb

The combination of ceramic implant and pure zirconia crown, complete metal-free treatment. Suitable for people with high aesthetic requirements or those allergic to metals.

All of ImplArt’s zirconia dental crowns and prostheses are made in the dental clinic‘s own digital laboratory. This allows for high quality control and on-time delivery.

How much does a zirconia crown cost?

In order for us to ascertain the needs of your case: single tooth crown, fixed prosthesis, prosthesis on implants, prosthesis protocol, we need to assess you carefully and thus be able to give you the price of your personalized zirconia treatment. The consultation can be in person or online, for those patients who are physically far away. Contact us at ImplArt Dental Clinic and we will be happy to answer any questions you may have.