Zirconia Dental Prosthetics

A patient suffering from advanced tooth decay and extensive damage to all teeth and molars. He traveled specifically to Cairo from Saudi Arabia to receive dental treatment. All teeth were treated, and high-quality zirconia dental prosthetics were installed.

Case Details: Advanced Tooth Decay and Extensive Damage to All Teeth and Molars

Mr. J.M. came to Cairo specifically to find a solution for his severe tooth decay and gum inflammation affecting all his teeth and molars. He mentioned that he came based on his trust in Wonders Dentistry Center to find the appropriate solution for his case. Upon detailed examination, we found that the patient had developed dental fluorosis due to consuming water with high levels of fluoride.

While fluoride is highly beneficial for teeth when consumed in recommended amounts to strengthen teeth, the excessive levels found in well water caused damage to his teeth. Additionally, the patient suffered from gum inflammation, which was treated with gum surgery to restore healthy gums.

Available Solutions for the Case

The patient is suffering from severe dental fluorosis, which has reached an irreversible stage. The available solutions include: Performing teeth whitening, Installing zirconia dental prosthetics, or Using cosmetic fillings.

The Best Solution: Zirconia Dental Prosthetics

The best solution was to use zirconia prosthetics to achieve natural-looking, whiter teeth without stains, as they have a longer lifespan compared to whitening and cosmetic fillings.

Zirconia:

Zirconia prosthetics are highly significant in dental biomaterials. Among all dental ceramics, zirconia stands out for its form and color as a preferred biomaterial in modern restorative dentistry. Zirconia is used as a structural material for dental bridges, crowns, and implants, primarily due to its biocompatibility and high fracture resistance.

Zirconia is made from tetragonal zirconium oxide (also known as zirconia) and comes in the form of a white powder. It began to be used in dentistry in the early 1990s and has recently gained popularity as an alternative to titanium, which dominated the field for many years. Zirconia offers advantages over titanium, such as its natural tooth-like appearance, the increasing preference for metal-free restorations, and the rise in cases of titanium allergies.

What Are the Advantages of Zirconia Teeth?

• High Durability: Zirconia is stronger than porcelain crowns, and zirconia bridges are exceptionally stable and robust.
• Biocompatibility: Zirconia is compatible with human cells, meaning there is no need to worry about allergies or adverse reactions.
• Aesthetic Appeal: Zirconia has a translucent appearance that blends naturally with your existing teeth. Since it is metal-free, there are no dark or metallic lines at the gumline.
• Permanent Solution: Zirconia prosthetics do not loosen or fall out (unlike dentures).

Zirconia vs. Porcelain:

A common question is the difference between porcelain and zirconia. Below are some key distinctions:

1. Zirconia has shown greater durability than porcelain, lasting over 5 years.
2. Zirconia has a smoother texture, which reduces wear on the gums and surrounding teeth.
3. Both zirconia and porcelain are highly durable, but zirconia offers additional aesthetic and functional benefits.

Types of Zirconia Used in Dentistry

1- Translucent Zirconia:

This type is known for its superior aesthetic appearance compared to solid zirconia, making it ideal for front teeth restorations. It is also stronger than porcelain dental prosthetics. However, translucent zirconia is not recommended for cases requiring orthodontic correction.

2- Solid Zirconia:

As the name suggests, this type of zirconia is highly durable and suitable for teeth that have undergone root canal treatment, as it provides support to weakened teeth. Its strength ensures resistance to chewing forces and teeth grinding.

Solid zirconia has a more opaque appearance than translucent zirconia and contains materials that enhance its stability. Therefore, it is recommended for back teeth restorations.

Advantages of Zirconia Dental Prosthetics:

1. Resistant to plaque and tartar buildup.
2. Biocompatible with body tissues and does not cause allergies, making it suitable for long-term use. It is the preferred choice for patients with titanium allergies.
3. Possesses suitable biomechanical properties.
4. Metal-free, making it ideal for patients with metal sensitivities.
5. Natural tooth-like appearance, with the ability to match the color of your existing teeth.
6. Does not require a metal core to maintain its strength.
7. Highly durable, reducing the likelihood of fractures and wear compared to materials like titanium.
8. Does not cause bad breath.
9. Promotes oral and bone health.
10. Easy to adjust: Thanks to its chemical properties, zirconia prosthetics can be precisely fabricated using advanced technologies, such as computer-aided design (CAD), minimizing errors.
11. Does not conduct heat and cold as much as other materials, providing greater comfort for the user.

Steps to Achieve Satisfactory Results

Procedure for Placing Zirconia Prosthetics:

Now that we’ve discussed the key characteristics of zirconia that make it a top choice, what is the procedure for placing zirconia dental prosthetics?

• The dentist prepares the teeth that will receive the zirconia prosthetics by creating space through tooth reduction (reshaping).
• The dentist then takes an impression of the teeth and sends it to the dental laboratory.
• The lab technician creates a mold from the impression by pouring a casting material into it.
• The technician then scans the dental mold, dividing it into several sections.
• The scanned images are transferred to a computer program where the zirconia restoration is designed.
• The laboratory sends the finished zirconia restoration back to the dentist’s clinic.
• Finally, the dentist fits the zirconia prosthetics and bonds them using dental cement to achieve the final result. This process typically requires 2 to 3 visits within a week.

Final Result

The final result, as shown in the image, demonstrates a remarkable improvement. A new patient is satisfied with the level of service and quality at Wonders Dentistry Center, where we consistently exceed expectations and provide innovative solutions in dental care.