Zirconia crownBack-tooth crown · Dental crown · Cap
- Same day
- 2 visits
- Time
- 30 minutes
- Anesthesia
- Yes
- Visit interval
- 1 week
- Lifespan
- 7–10 years
- Cost
- Explained after your exam
A zirconia crown is a treatment where we shape the remaining tooth and cover the whole thing from above. The crown takes the chewing force instead, so the remaining tooth does not crack.
It works differently from a filling. Composite resin and inlays fill an empty space, while a crown wraps around the remaining tooth. We use a crown when there is no wall left to fill against.
Zirconia is the material the crown is made of. It is among the strongest of the ceramic materials, so we use it on back teeth, which take heavy forces.
Why a zirconia crown
Very hardBack teeth take a force close to your body weight when you chew. Zirconia holds up to that force without breaking, which is why we use it on back teeth.
Spreads the force evenlyIn a tooth with one wall broken down, whatever is filled in, the force concentrates in one place and the same spot breaks again. Covering the tooth all the way around spreads that force out.
No dark lineThe material has no metal inside. Even over time, no dark ring shows through at the gum line.
How a zirconia crown is done
It takes two visits. On the first day we shape the tooth and take an impression, and on the second day we place the crown.
- 01
We check the remaining walls
First we check whether there is a wall left to fill against. If one side of a cusp is gone entirely, a filling will not hold up.
- 02
We shape it all the way around
We remove an even layer from all sides of the tooth, as thick as the crown will be. This removes the most tooth of any of these treatments. In return, a crown of that thickness takes the force.
- 03
We take an impression and place a temporary crown
We take an impression of the shaped tooth and send it to the lab. In the meantime, we place a temporary crown, so you can eat and smile with that tooth.
- 04
We place the finished crown
On your second visit, we remove the temporary crown and try the new one in. After adjusting the height and the contact with the neighboring teeth, we bond it in place.
What each stage of a cavity needs
Two cavities can need different treatment depending on how far each has gone. We decide by how much of the inside of the tooth has broken down, not by the size of the hole you can see.
Stage 1 · A small cavity
The decay is still in the outer layer (enamel), or has only just reached the layer below. The outer layer has no nerves, so it does not hurt, and few people notice a cavity at this stage. The walls around it are intact, so we remove only the decayed part and fill it right away. This is the stage where the least tooth is removed.
Stage 2 · A large cavity
The layer under the enamel is much softer, so the decay spreads sideways. The opening stays narrow while the inside widens, and cold things start to sting. Once it is this wide, a filling placed directly in the mouth cannot hold up to chewing and starts to separate at the edges. So we take an impression and make a piece that fits exactly, then set it in place.
Stage 3 · A cavity with a broken wall
One of the cusps on the chewing surface has broken off entirely, and there is no wall left to fill against. This is the stage where a tooth cracks while you are chewing. Whatever we fill it with, the force lands on one side, and the same spot breaks again. We shape what is left and cover the whole tooth so it takes force evenly.
Stage 4 · A cavity that has reached the nerve
It throbs even when you are doing nothing, and it gets worse at night. The nerve is sealed inside the hard tooth, so when it swells the pressure has nowhere to go, and the pain is severe. First the nerve inside the tooth has to be treated. A tooth that has been hollowed out breaks easily, so it is covered afterward. This is the only stage that needs two treatments.
Root canal treatment, then a zirconia crown
Does it hurt?
We use anesthesia first. A lot of tooth is shaped, so it would feel sensitive without it. Once you are numb, you will feel the drilling and hear the sound, but there is no pain.
How many visits does it take?
Two. On the first day we shape the tooth and take an impression, and on the second day we place the crown. However, if the decay has reached the nerve, root canal treatment comes first, which adds visits.
Does it remove a lot of tooth?
Yes, it does. Tooth has to be removed all the way around to make room for the crown. So if walls remain, we consider an inlay first, and we place a crown only when an inlay cannot solve the problem.
Will it wear down the opposite tooth?
Because the material is hard, it can. We polish the chewing surface smooth to lower that risk. If you grind your teeth hard, we will tell you beforehand and decide together.
How long does it last?
It depends on how you care for it. The crown itself rarely breaks, but if decay forms at the edge below the gum line, it has to be removed and the tooth treated again. Having a crown does not make the tooth underneath safe.
