Zirconia Crowns: The pinnacle of aesthetics and functionality for your smile

A zirconia crown is a type of dental prosthesis that completely covers the visible part of a damaged or weakened tooth (the so-called stump) and restores its shape, size, strength and appearance. As the name suggests, it is made of zirconium dioxide (ZrO2), which is an extremely strong and durable white ceramic material. Unlike traditional metal-ceramic crowns, they do not contain any metal base, which brings a number of significant advantages.

The popularity of zirconia crowns stems primarily from their unique properties:

• Excellent aesthetics: Zircon is naturally white and has excellent light transmission (translucency), which very closely mimics the appearance of natural tooth enamel. The crowns therefore look incredibly natural and are practically indistinguishable from your own teeth. They also do not cause dark lines on the gums, which can be visible with metal-ceramic restorations.
• Extraordinary strength and durability: Zirconium oxide is one of the strongest dental materials. Crowns made from it are extremely resistant to cracking, chipping and wear, which guarantees their long life even with normal chewing. They are also suitable for back teeth, where the greatest chewing pressure is exerted.
• High biocompatibility: Zirconium is a biocompatible material, which means that it is very well tolerated by the human body and does not cause allergic reactions. It is an ideal choice for patients with metal allergies or sensitive gums. Gum tissue reacts very favorably to zirconium.
• Production precision: Thanks to modern CAD/CAM technologies (computer-aided design and manufacturing) that we use at Dobrý Dent, zirconium crowns are manufactured with micrometer precision. This ensures perfect adhesion of the crown to the tooth, minimizes the risk of tooth decay under the crown and guarantees maximum comfort.
• Resistance to color changes: Zirconium is very resistant to discoloration from coffee, tea, red wine or smoking, so your smile will maintain its bright white color for a long time.

Zirconium crowns are an ideal solution in many situations. At Dobrý Dent, we recommend them especially if:

• You have a tooth that is significantly damaged by decay, injury or a crack and cannot be reliably repaired with a filling.
• You have a tooth after root canal treatment that is weakened and needs protection from breakage.
• You are not satisfied with the shape, size or color of your teeth and want aesthetic correction.
• You need to replace old, unsuitable or unaesthetic crowns (e.g. metal-ceramic with visible metal).
• You suffer from an allergy to the metals contained in traditional crowns.
• You need a dental bridge to replace a missing tooth (zircon is strong enough even for bridges).
• You are looking for the highest quality, most durable and most aesthetic solution for your teeth.

Our Experienced doctors at Dobrý Dent will carefully assess the condition of your teeth and recommend the most suitable solution based on your individual needs and wishes.

The process of making a zirconium crown at our clinic in Prague 5 is precise and, thanks to modern technologies, extremely comfortable for the patient. It usually includes the following steps:

1. Introductory consultation and examination: First, the doctor will discuss your expectations and needs in detail with you. He will perform a thorough examination of the tooth and surrounding tissues, often using X-rays or modern 3D CBCT (Cone Beam Computed Tomography) for a detailed view of the anatomy. Based on the examination, a treatment plan will be determined.
2. Preparation (grinding) of the tooth: In order to be able to place the crown, the tooth must be slightly ground down to create space for the crown material. We perform this procedure under local anesthesia, and for maximum comfort and painlessness, we use the STA (Single Tooth Anesthesia) system, which allows for targeted and gentle numbing of only the tooth in question. We check the precision of the grinding under magnification using a dental microscope.
3. Digital impression: Instead of traditional, unpleasant impression materials, we use a state-of-the-art intraoral 3D scanner at Dobrý Dent. This device quickly and accurately scans the situation in your mouth and creates a digital model of your teeth. It is fast, comfortable and extremely precise.
4. Crown design (CAD): Based on a digital scan, our technicians or a doctor use specialized software to design the shape and size of the crown so that it fits perfectly into your bite and aesthetically matches your other teeth.
5. Crown manufacturing (CAM): The digital design is sent to a milling machine, which mills your new crown from a block of high-quality zirconium with maximum precision.
6. Sintering and staining: The milled crown is then fired in a special oven at high temperature (sintering), which gives it its final strength and durability. It can then be individually stained and glazed to perfectly match the color of your natural teeth.
7. Crown placement: At your next visit, the doctor will carefully try on the crown, check its fit, bite and aesthetics. If everything is in order, the crown is finally attached (cemented) to the prepared tooth using a special dental cement.
8. Final check and instructions: The doctor will check the bite and provide you with instructions on how to properly care for the new crown.

Our technology for your comfort and perfect results

At Dobrý Dent, we emphasize the use of the most modern technologies that increase the quality of treatment, the accuracy of results and the comfort of patients:

• Dental microscope: Allows the doctor to work with multiple magnification, which is key for precise tooth preparation, checking the fit of the crown and minimizing interference with healthy tissues.
• STA (Wand) system: Computer-controlled application of anesthesia ensures painless numbing without an unpleasant feeling of pressure and numbness of the surrounding tissues (lips, tongue).
• Intraoral 3D scanner: Replaces the inconvenient impression, provides extremely accurate data for crown fabrication and reduces the overall treatment time.
• CBCT (3D X-ray): Provides a detailed three-dimensional image of the teeth, bones and surrounding structures, which is invaluable for accurate planning, especially in more complex cases or when considering implants as an alternative.

Thanks to these technologies, we are able to ensure that your new zirconia crowns will not only be beautiful, but also perfectly functional and manufactured with maximum precision.

Caring for zirconia crowns is basically the same as caring for your natural teeth. To ensure their longevity and maintain the health of the surrounding gums, it is important to follow these guidelines:

• Regular and thorough cleaning: Brush your teeth twice a day with a quality toothbrush and fluoride toothpaste.
• Using interdental tools: Don’t forget to clean the spaces between your teeth daily with interdental brushes or dental floss. This is where plaque often accumulates, which can lead to gingivitis around the crown.
• Regular preventive check-ups: Visit your dentist at Dobrý Dent twice a year for preventive check-ups and professional dental hygiene. During the examination, the doctor will check the condition of the crown and surrounding tissues.
• Caution when biting into very hard objects: Although zirconia crowns are very durable, avoid biting into extremely hard objects such as ice, nut shells, or hard candies to prevent possible damage.

With proper care and regular check-ups, zirconia crowns can serve you for many years, often decades, and provide you with a beautiful and healthy smile.

Choosing the right dental clinic is key to the success of any dental treatment. The Dobrý Dent Clinic, located in modern premises in Prague 5 – Anděl, offers you several reasons to entrust the care of your smile to us:

• Experience and expertise: We have been providing comprehensive dental care since 2010. Our team of experienced doctors is constantly educating themselves in the latest procedures and technologies in the field of aesthetic and restorative dentistry.
• Leading technologies: We invest in modern equipment (microscope, STA, 3D scanner, CBCT), which allows us to perform treatments more precisely, efficiently and with maximum comfort for the patient.
• Individual approach: Each patient is unique to us. We devote sufficient time to consultations, listen to your wishes and needs and propose a treatment plan tailored to you.
• Quality materials: We use only certified and biocompatible materials of the highest quality, including top-quality zirconium blocks from renowned manufacturers.
• Comprehensive care under one roof: We offer a wide range of dental services from preventive care and dental hygiene, through conservative and aesthetic dentistry to endodontics, periodontology and implantology.
• Pleasant environment and patient care: We want you to feel good with us. Our clinic is designed to be modern and at the same time soothing. We ensure pain-free treatment and a friendly atmosphere.
• Convenient location: We are located in a well-accessible location in Prague 5 – Smíchov (Anděl), Jindřicha Plachty 535/16.

Are zirconia crowns expensive?

Zirconia crowns are among the premium solutions, and their price is therefore usually higher than that of metal-ceramic crowns. However, this investment pays off thanks to their excellent aesthetics, durability, biocompatibility and long life. We will tell you the exact price after an initial consultation and drawing up an individual treatment plan.

How long do zirconia crowns last?

With proper care and regular check-ups, zirconia crowns can last 15 years or more. Their lifespan depends on the quality of the workmanship, the patient’s oral hygiene and individual factors (e.g. teeth grinding).

Is grinding a tooth for a crown painful?

The grinding itself is always performed under local anesthesia, so it is completely painless. In addition, at Dobrý Dent we use the STA system for maximum comfort in the application of anesthetic.

What is the difference between a zirconium and an all-ceramic crown?

Zirconium crowns are a specific type of all-ceramic crowns. The term „all-ceramic crown“ can also include crowns made of other types of ceramics (e.g. lithium disilicate – e.max), which are also highly aesthetic, but may have slightly different properties (e.g. lower strength than zirconium, but sometimes even better translucency for front teeth). Zirconium is more universal due to its strength. Your doctor will help you choose the most suitable type of ceramic for your situation.

Is it possible to replace a missing tooth with a zirconium crown?

The crown itself replaces only the damaged part of the existing tooth. To replace a completely missing tooth, a zirconia bridge (which is anchored to adjacent, ground teeth) or a dental implant, onto which a zirconia crown is then placed, can be used. We offer both solutions at Dobrý Dent.