What Is a Zirconia Crown?

Zirconia crowns are tooth-shaped caps developed to restore decayed, broken, or worn-down teeth. They are made from zirconium dioxide, a solid dental material that closely resembles natural teeth and boasts outstanding durability.

What Is a Porcelain Crown?

Porcelain crowns are custom-made caps designed to renew the shape, size, functionality, and appearance of decayed, damaged, or discolored teeth. They are made by enveloping a metal core with a porcelain layer. Porcelain is a popular material in restorative dentistry as it looks similar to natural teeth. 

Key Differences Between Zirconia and Porcelain

Given that dental crowns are similar in features and functionality, you might wonder, “Is zirconia better than porcelain?” We’ll compare zirconium vs porcelain crowns in terms of sturdiness, durability, aesthetics, comfort, price, and resistance to temperature shifts.

Feature/Material	Zirconia	Porcelain
Strength and durability	This non-porous material boasts outstanding strength and can withstand significant chewing forces. It’s highly resistant to cracking, chipping, and staining. With proper care, a zirconia crown can endure over 15 years of consistent use.	These crowns are made from solid, durable ceramic that generally lasts nearly 10 to 15 years. Porcelain isn’t as robust as zirconia, so munching hard foods or using your teeth as tools can lessen its lifespan.
Aesthetic appeal	The opaque nature mimics the look of natural teeth, but not as well as of their porcelain counterparts. Zirconia is more resilient to discoloration.	It closely resembles the look of natural tooth enamel, empowering a doctor to pick a perfect match with your original tooth color. This makes porcelain ideal for front teeth. However, a metal core under a porcelain layer can cause minor discoloration near the gum line over time.
Comfort and fit	Zirconia crowns are more robust, wear-resistant, and prone to damage, providing you with more freedom while chewing. They are remarkably biocompatible.	A doctor can mold and shape the crown according to your tooth arch peculiarities, ensuring a snug fit.
Sensitivity and temperature resistance	Zirconia honorably tolerates fractures and temperature fluctuations, which is vital for patients with sensitive teeth or living in harsh climates.	Such crowns might feel a bit “alien” in the initial period after placement, but the sensation will vanish after your mouth fully recovers. Porcelain doesn’t conduct temperature as quickly as metal, making your artificial tooth insensitive to cold or hot foods and drinks.
Zirconia crown vs porcelain price comparison	The cost varies, depending on a clinic location and dentist’s expertise. In our Dental Office in Forest Hills, NY, these crowns cost from $1200 to $1800 per tooth. The price is justified considering they are stronger, more durable, and harder to damage.	Porcelain crowns slightly give way to zirconia tooth caps in terms of sturdiness and durability, so their average price starts from $1200 to $1800 per tooth. These crowns succeed in appearance: luster and translucence make them perfect for front teeth.

Follow these simple tips to prolong your dental crown durability:

• At-home maintenance. Thoroughly brush and floss your crowns like your natural teeth.
• Avoid hard and sticky foods. Caramels and gum can seem tempting but your guilty pleasure might deduct several years of the crown’s longevity.
• Schedule regular dental exams. Your doctor can identify any issues in the bud.

Which Crown Is Better for Front vs. Back Teeth?

When hesitating between zirconia crown vs porcelain, keep in mind dental anatomy:

• Front teeth. This is a calling card of your smile, so the natural look of porcelain will be just in place.
• Back teeth. Molars your chewing sufferers, so they need extra support and resistance to wear and tear. Zirconia has no rivals in this respect.

For a perfect alignment of functionality and appeal, ask your doctor to share a smile gallery to see what a porcelain vs zirconia crown looks like in reality.

Zirconia vs. Porcelain: Which One Is Right for You?

Consider your lifestyle and oral habits when choosing between a porcelain ceramic crown vs zirconia crown. 

Who should choose zirconia?

Zirconia is several times stronger than porcelain, so it can cope with more chewing force. Robust nature makes such crowns impeccable for:

• professional athletes;
• people living an active lifestyle;
• teeth grinders;
• patients biting their nails.

Zirconia is a go-to choice if you want to enjoy your new crown for long. It’s vital to avoid habits that can potentially damage it.

Who should choose porcelain?

Porcelain crowns are all about aesthetics, making them perfect for patients who want to be discreet about their oral issues: no one will ever guess you have a crown unless you tell them. They perfectly cover decayed, fractured, or discolored teeth. However, you should be more careful with dietary choices as porcelain is not as sturdy as zirconia.

Zirconia Crown vs Porcelain Crown: Winner in Each Field

It might be challenging to pick the right material for your dental crown, but understanding the key differences between a porcelain crown vs zirconia can help you make a reasonable decision. Traditional porcelain crowns are perfect for aesthetic purposes and win in terms of cost-effectiveness and natural look. Zirconia crowns better cope with “hard labor” — their robust structure is ideal for back teeth and patients leading an active lifestyle. 

Whichever dental material you choose, this investment in your oral health will faithfully serve you for years. If you have any concerns weighing dental crown zirconia vs porcelain options, schedule an appointment in our office, and a skilled doctor will give you customized advice based on your dental needs. 

Porcelain vs Zirconia Crown: Most Common Questions

Additional Resources

Enrich your knowledge about crown-placement procedure intricacies and the benefits of zirconia dental crowns.