Zirconium Treatment
Zirconium dental coating is the highest quality product achieved to date in terms of aesthetics, tissue compatibility, durability and naturalness, which are the basic requirements of dentistry.
Zirconium substructure is a white metal found in nature and mined like “granites” in its more easily understood form. Therefore, unlike the metal-supported or metal-based porcelains that are still widely used today, porcelains with a white infrastructure are obtained. In addition, it is much more resistant to pressure and tensile forces than normal metal, making it an excellent alternative especially for the oral environment where both horizontal and vertical forces such as biting and crushing are applied frequently.
We safely prefer zirconium-based porcelains because they are aesthetic enough to be used on front teeth and durable enough to be used on back teeth. Treatments with zirconium increase people’s quality of life.
For which dental conditions is zirconium treatment used?
- In cases of advanced discoloration (antibiotics, fluoride, etc.) and hereditary structural discolorations that do not yield results with methods such as whitening,
- In people whose teeth have been previously cut,
- In joining separated teeth (diastema closure),
- In people who have a metal-supported bridge or crown in their mouth,
- In the correction of broken teeth,
- In the correction of old dental fillings whose color and structure are damaged,
- In the correction of crooked and crooked teeth (as an orthodontic treatment alternative),
- Zirconium treatment can be applied to teeth with excessive material loss that cannot be filled.
What are the advantages of zirconium dental coating compared to classical dental coating?
• With its insulating feature, hot and cold sensitivity does not develop.
• Zirconium is very similar to the natural tooth structure with its light-permeable structure and creates aesthetics in the mouth. Even well-made metal-supported porcelains have a dullness and artificiality. For this reason, zirconium treatment may be preferred, especially in the front teeth.
• Metal-supported porcelain crowns and bridges (veneers) are mechanically bonded to the tooth. Zirconium is attached to the tooth mechanically and chemically. Therefore, its durability is much higher than metal-supported ones.
•Metal-supported porcelains give the appearance of a dark space in the mouth in some lights, as if it does not exist. Zirconium, on the other hand, transmits all kinds of light close to the same natural teeth.
•Since there is no metal in its infrastructure, there is no dark line at the crown-gum line. Thus, a more aesthetic appearance is provided.
•Since porcelain surfaces will be extremely smooth, it minimizes tooth stains and tartar formation caused by smoking and similar reasons.
•Teeth do not change color due to external factors such as coffee, tea or cigarettes.
•Zirconium is a healthy material that does not cause bad taste in the mouth, gum problems and bad breath.
•The pressure and bruises that occur on the gums due to previously made metal-supported porcelain crowns are completely eliminated by the application of zirconium (veneers) crowns, and an aesthetic and natural appearance is achieved.
• When the gum recedes, while zirconium preserves its aesthetic appearance, metal-supported porcelains create a bad appearance in the area where they meet the tooth.
• There is no risk of allergy to some metals (nickel, etc.) used in the infrastructure in porcelains with zirconium infrastructure.
•Since it is perfectly compatible with our body, it can be easily used by people with gum disease or those who are prone to gum disease.
•Zirconium is very compatible with gums and does not cause gum problems if oral hygiene is taken into consideration.
How are zirconium teeth prepared?
The preparation of zirconium teeth is the same as classical metal-supported porcelain, but the difference begins in laboratory processes. Zirconiums can be made with devices equipped with computer technology. In this method, measurements taken from the patient’s mouth are scanned in computerized optical readers. Zirconium sheets are cut and shaped by the computer, thanks to milling systems, without human contact.
The data obtained with the help of the camera is uploaded to the computer. Then, designs (CAD) are made and production (CAM) is started.
With these developed technologies, zirconium is used successfully in single tooth crown restorations, 3-6 member bridges, and implant-supported crown-bridge works.
The success of the material has been proven in medicine and industry. As a result of the research that started in 1998, clinical applications have been implemented all over the world since the beginning of 2002. With this new application, the patient’s aesthetic concerns regarding metal-ceramic restorations are completely eliminated.
How is zirconium dental coating applied?
During zirconium dental coating, after the teeth are cut, the three-dimensional structure of the teeth is transferred to computers using scanners. This scanning process is of two types. In the first procedure, as soon as the teeth are cut, the image is transferred to the digital environment with the help of intraoral scanners and cameras, without placing any impression material in the patient’s mouth, and after this process, the planning is prepared entirely in the computer environment. Then the data is sent to the CAD cam system. Here, zirconia blocks are made into the infrastructure of porcelain teeth with the help of rotating systems. In the other method, oral measurements are taken after the patient’s teeth are cut. After the measurements are taken, the measurements sent to the laboratory are cast with special plaster systems and the original measurement is obtained. These measurements are then scanned with special tools similar to scanners in computers and transferred to digital media, that is, to the computer.
The lower structures are rehearsed and sent to the laboratory for processing of the upper structure, that is, porcelain. Zirconium porcelain teeth are now ready.
What should be taken into consideration when applying dental veneer?
The shapes of the veneers applied to the mouth must be compatible with the face shape. Contours should be adjusted taking into account oval, square and rectangular face shapes. Another important issue is the curve of the face. Coatings to be prepared for a face with an outwardly convex structure must be compatible with this convexity. The age of the patient is closely related to the makeup lines on the teeth and the shape of the tips of the teeth.
Another important issue is the gender of the patient. While softer and rounder lines are used for women, angular, sharp-edged teeth are more suitable for men.
Skin color and eye color are also issues that should be taken into consideration. In order for the teeth made to look like they belong to the patient, the tooth must be prepared by carefully balancing all the elements. Final arrangements are made during the rehearsal, taking into account the patient’s opinions.
During the final rehearsal, the patient should be asked if he/she has any problems with the shape, color and size of the teeth. If necessary, the opinion of a relative of the patient is also taken and final adjustments are made and the closing of the teeth with each other is checked. Teeth that arrive from the laboratory in their final shape are carefully examined by the physician. After the dentist makes sure that the thickness of the collar parts, the interfaces and the gingival papillae areas are thoroughly opened, the prepared veneer is placed in the mouth.
This stage, called cementation, is very important.
The drugs used when bonding zirconium or porcelain teeth get under the gums and freeze. The medicine under the gums must be completely cleaned. Another important issue during cementation is the proper fit of the teeth. Generally, when the cement hardens, the coating cannot be fully seated and may remain a little high. In such a case, if necessary, the luting cement should be removed and re-glued before it fully hardens.
The patient, who is told not to chew anything for at least half an hour, is ready to pose with his new teeth.
Why Do We Recommend Zirconium Treatment?
- Because zirconium is tissue friendly. This allows us to make predictions for the patient for many years regarding the duration of the porcelain made in the mouth and the comfort of use. This is one of the most important reasons.
- They are extremely durable porcelains with high durability and fracture resistance. Zirconium has proven its durability to a great extent as a result of measurements and tests, user groups and many processes.
- It is one of the porcelains closest to a completely natural appearance. There is no greyish-matte appearance due to the absence of metal reflection underneath.
- Thermal insulation is strong. For this reason, it provides ease of use to patients as it sends less heat to the teeth compared to the metal-based porcelains we use. Our patients can choose cold or hot food and beverages with peace of mind without encountering any problems.
- It is not allergic. To date, allergic reactions have been encountered in very rare cases.
- It appears glassy due to its light transmittance and provides a much better aesthetic appearance to the patient.
For these and similar reasons, zirconium is an easy-to-use and preferred aesthetically successful porcelain tooth type today.