What Is the Deal With Zirconia in Dentistry?

Posted on 5/1/2024 by Life Long Dental

3D rendering of three teeth each with a different dental filling material: composite, amalgam, and gold

For decades, gold and silver were the metals of dentistry. Dentists used these metals to fill cavities, crown teeth, and make bridges, as well as braces. However, there is a new material that many dentists are using now. Here is some information on the benefits of zirconia in dentistry.

What Is Zirconia?

Zirconia is made from zircon, which is found in sand deposits in Australia and South Africa. To make zirconia, manufacturers melt sand at extremely high temperatures to make a metal. Zirconia has many uses. Ceramic manufacturers use it for medical implants as well as ceramic tiles for kitchens and bathrooms, and it is prized for its whiteness and brightness. Zirconia sponges can be used to make nuclear power safer, and because it is a very hard metal, zirconia is used in a lot of manufacturing to make products harder to scratch or dent.

How Is Zirconia Used in Dentistry?

Because of its amazing properties, zirconia is a great material for dentistry. It can be manufactured into a brilliant white metal that is scratch-resistant and long-lasting. In fact, zirconia lasts longer than either gold or silver for dental appliances. Both gold and silver look good in your mouth, but both are malleable, which means they can bend and dent. Also, many people do not like to have gold or silver in their mouths because it is more noticeable. Zirconia can be as white and bright as your natural teeth, and because it is long-lasting, you can stop worrying that your dental work will last.

Zirconia is such an amazing metal that dentists can use it for crowns. Those crowns can last for 20 to 25 years or longer. Zirconia can also be used for bridges and appliances such as expanders or retainers. One of the best uses for zirconia is dental implants. First, very few people are allergic to zirconia, which means your body is less likely to reject the implant. Also, zirconia is tough enough to chew through difficult vegetables and slice through meat without a problem. Not sure whether zirconia is right for you? Why not give our office a call and set up an appointment with our dentist?

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3100 NW Bucklin Hill Rd, Suite 209, Silverdale, WA 98383

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Dental Blog - Silverdale, WA • Life Long Dental
Dr. Gillespie has created this informative blog to help educate the community. Did you like a topic? Please contact us today! Life Long Dental is your dentist in Silverdale, WA.
Life Long Dental, 3100 NW Bucklin Hill Rd, Suite 209, Silverdale, WA 98383 / (360) 633-2377 / lifelongdental.com / 10/6/2024 / Tags: Dentist Silverdale WA /