The main requirements for a dental crown are a natural, aesthetic appearance, durable material, and resistance to chewing loads. The leading options on the market that meet these criteria and have been proven by time and experience are ceramic and zirconia crowns. Previously, metal-ceramic crowns were at the peak of popularity among patients, but today they have lost to zirconia and ceramic options. In this article, we will additionally explain why metal-ceramic crowns have taken a back seat.
At our “Sa-Nata” clinic, we produce all orthopedic restorations ourselves. We have our own digital dental laboratory, “Sa-Nata Dynasty,” where the best dental technicians—true “dental artists” and craftsmen—work. The laboratory is equipped with innovative, state-of-the-art equipment for manufacturing dental crowns and other restorations. In our work, we actively use CAD/CAM digital design and milling technology to create the smile of the future. “Sa-Nata” creates customized ceramic and zirconia crowns, giving our patients the smile of their dreams!
Anatomically natural crown shape that is indistinguishable from the original tooth
Tight fit at the tooth neck
Strength, wear resistance to various loads, and long-term durability
The crown should restore the natural tooth’s crown volume in proper height-to-width proportion
It must ensure correct contact with adjacent and opposing teeth
It should not change color over time, chip, or fall off
The crown margin should not extend into the gingival sulcus
The fabricated crown must not increase the interalveolar height
The installed crown should not negatively affect the health of teeth and gums
Zirconium dioxide is considered the most durable material for fabricating dental restorations, offering numerous advantages.
A zirconia crown is currently the safest, most reliable, long-lasting, and practical option in modern prosthetic dentistry.
A distinctive feature of zirconia crowns is that they are lightweight, very comfortable, yet hard and strong. They also have high resistance to chipping. The strength of zirconium dioxide is comparable to that of metal, while its aesthetic qualities can even surpass those of ceramic crowns. Zirconia crowns are most commonly used for molars and dental implants.
Interesting fact: Zirconium dioxide is often called “white gold” due to its exceptional hardness and reliability.
Highly aesthetic appearance
Provides light translucency similar to natural tooth enamel
Ensures a tight fit to the gum tissue
Long service life (around 20 years)
Lightweight yet incredibly strong construction
Resistant to pigments found in food and beverages
Requires minimal tooth preparation before placement (up to 1 mm)
Eliminates the risk of inflammation and other complications
Zirconium dioxide has antibacterial properties, helping prevent cavities even on adjacent teeth
The quality of the restoration fully justifies the cost of the material
Suitable for all types of prosthetic restorations
Excellent biocompatibility with body tissues
Hypoallergenic material
Natural and realistic appearance
Creates the effect of a “living” tooth
Minimal plaque accumulation due to its hygienic surface properties
Ensures maximum tight fit
Long-lasting color stability and resistance to staining
No risk of gum tissue injury
Service life of approximately 10 years
The E-Max ceramic crown is a popular all-ceramic dental restoration. Its framework is made of glass-ceramic fiber or zirconia, while the outer layer is coated with pressed lithium disilicate ceramic. The lithium disilicate crystals give the crown additional strength.
It is considered the most aesthetic option for dental prosthetics due to its translucency, which closely mimics natural tooth enamel. The E-Max crown technology has proven its effectiveness in clinical practice for over 20 years. Such a crown is almost indistinguishable from a natural tooth, as it precisely replicates the color, shade, reflections, texture, and translucency of natural enamel.
The E-Max crown represents an innovative and modern approach to dental restoration—one that we also actively use, fabricate, and install.
Hypoallergenic
Minimal tooth preparation required (from 0.5 mm to 1 mm)
High biocompatibility
No unpleasant metallic taste in the mouth
Do not negatively affect the oral mucosa
Provide protection against tooth decay
Zirconia surpasses ceramic in aesthetic performance
Provides better protection against tooth decay
Has greater strength than ceramic
Ceramic crowns last about 10 years, while zirconia crowns can last up to 20 years
The cost of a zirconia crown is significantly higher than that of a ceramic one (depending on the amount of material used during fabrication)
The essence of a metal-ceramic crown lies in its metal alloy framework, which is coated with ceramic to achieve a more aesthetic appearance. However, due to the metal core inside, such a crown cannot reproduce the natural translucency of tooth enamel.
Although metal-ceramic crowns have been tested and proven over the years, both specialists and patients agree that they significantly “lose” compared to zirconia and ceramic crowns—not only in aesthetics but also in overall performance.
Low aesthetic result, lacking translucency and natural color (due to the metal framework that blocks light)
Possible gum darkening and irritation along the gum line
Negative impact on adjacent and opposing teeth
Potential allergic reactions in patients (depending on the type of metal alloy)
Significant tooth reduction required for placement — about 1.5–2 mm, which removes a large amount of dental tissue
Necessity of root canal treatment (pulp removal) due to extensive tooth preparation
Fortunately, modern dentistry offers patients a wide range of materials and fabrication methods for dental crowns. An additional advantage is when a clinic has its own laboratory for producing restorations — this allows full control over the materials used, every stage of crown creation, and achieving a 100% perfect result. But how should a patient choose the right material for their crown — zirconia or ceramic?
Of course, this decision cannot be made without the help of a specialist, as every clinical case and each person’s body are unique. Each patient has specific medical indications. The choice depends on the situation — whether the crown is being placed on an implant, as part of a bridge, or on a molar or front tooth.
For an implant, a crown with exceptional strength is required.
For molars, a crown that can withstand heavy chewing loads is recommended — it should be as practical and wear-resistant as possible.
For front teeth, the primary focus should be on the crown’s aesthetic qualities. This means that each case has its own specific indications and recommendations regarding the material used for the future crown.
The specialists of the “Sa-Nata” clinic network will help you choose the right material for your dental restoration. For over 10 years, we have been creating smiles that change patients’ lives! Our own laboratory, “Sa-Nata Dynasty,” provides us with unique opportunities to produce dental restorations of any complexity with the highest level of aesthetics.
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