What is Zirconia? Why Do Patients Pick It Over PFM? Lets Take a Look
Many dental patients today are requesting crowns that are zirconia. Fewer and fewer patients are opting for PFM (porcelain-fused-to-metal) crowns. As such, dentists today offering dental crown procedures should have access to zirconia crowns to give their patients the ability to choose the final material they want their crown to be!
That said, why do patients prefer zirconia? Let us find out together:

What Is Zirconia?
If you are unaware of what zirconia is, it is a metal oxide made out of the metal zirconium, which is a metal that's a part of the titanium family. As you may know, titanium is human-friendly, not to mention incredibly tough and durable. For that reason, things like dinnerware, pipes, and even electrical fixtures commonly use zirconium in their build, simply because it is accessible and reliable. Thanks to its natural strength, it makes for the perfect crown material, and it has become exactly that. Zirconia crowns are the go-to for many patients, especially those looking to replace the teeth that are responsible for a lot of chewing and grinding.
Why Pick Zirconia Over PFM Restorations?
Both zirconia and PFM restorations have proven reliable in the dental crown world, but why would anyone pick zirconia over PFM restorations? For many reasons, to be exact.
The most obvious reason patients pick zirconia over PFM is its incredible strength. Zirconia is well known to withstand any abuse without chipping or damages, making it tolerable to activities like chewing. Now, with introductions of monolithic zirconia, the crowns made are next to unbreakable.
Another reason people tend to pick zirconia over PFM restorations is the crown itself looks just like real teeth. There is no metal exposed that can be shown when someone smiles, meaning anyone wearing zirconia can file with full confidence knowing their smile is as natural as it can be. Plus, with its ability to be shaped easily, zirconia can look and feel just like real teeth without any errors when it comes to fit.
Finally, one of the most significant reasons people pick zirconia over PFM is the fact that it is safer for them to use. Zirconia is incredibly biocompatible, meaning that humans can use it in many ways without negatively affecting their bodies. This is unlike PFM restorations, where PFM can incite an allergic reaction. Zirconia does not have this kind of problem, making them extremely safe for any dental use.
Conclusion
All in all, zirconia has been the go-to for many patients looking for the best crown solutions for a few years. With its durability, safety, and aesthetics, it has proven to be an incredible crown material time and time again, and the demand for zirconia crowns has never been higher. That being said, if you are a dental clinic looking to offer zirconia restorations, be sure to reach out to professional dental labs. This will ensure that you will be able to provide the highest quality zirconia crowns to your patients to improve their oral health and give them a better quality of life.
Vitality Tech LLC is a full-service dental service lab in the US offering high-quality dental implants, prosthetics, and removable dentures to satisfy the needs of dental clinics and their patients. If you are looking for the best dental lab to provide quality restorations for your dental clinic, contact us today.



