Transforming Dental Aesthetics: Zirconia Restorations in Dentistry

mm Written by Andrew Sedler

Among the diverse array of dental restorative materials, Zirconia has emerged as a forerunner. With its exceptional mechanical properties and aesthetic appeal, Zirconia is a game changer in the field of prosthodontics, effectively revolutionizing the concept of dental restorations.

Zirconia, or zirconium dioxide, is a ceramic material known for its high flexural strength, fracture toughness, and biocompatibility. These features make it an ideal choice for dental restorations, including crowns, bridges, and implant abutments. Zirconia’s resistance to crack propagation and its durability outperform traditional materials like porcelain and PFM (porcelain fused to metal) restorations.

Zirconia Case Study

The team at Burbank Dental Lab was excited to work with Dr. Anuja Patel on the following zirconia case.

The 59-year-old patient presented with multiple missing teeth. Her natural teeth were misaligned, uneven, and discolored. The patient wanted to correct these issues and create a whiter, more aesthetically pleasing smile.

“I have been using Burbank Dental Lab for few years now. I have been very happy with the results. The best part is that the team communicates well regarding case discussion or material selection. The esthetic and fit of the restorations tell the quality of work they do.


Burbank Dental Lab has always delivered consistent, quality products and services. I highly recommend Burbank Dental Lab for all your restorative cases. Thank you, Burbank, for making my cases beautiful and amazing!”

Dr. Anuju Patel

Dr. Anuja Patel - Smile Savers Dentistry
Anuja Patel, DDS
Smile Savers Dentistry - Dr. Anuja Patel
Case Study Photos
Zirconia Restorations in Dentistry - Case Study - Dr. Anuja Patel, DDS - Smile Savers Dentistry
Zirconia Restorations in Dentistry - Case Study - Dr. Anuja Patel, DDS - Smile Savers Dentistry
Zirconia Restorations in Dentistry - Case Study - Dr. Anuja Patel, DDS - Smile Savers Dentistry
Zirconia Restorations in Dentistry - Case Study - Dr. Anuja Patel, DDS - Smile Savers Dentistry
Zirconia Restorations in Dentistry - Case Study - Dr. Anuja Patel, DDS - Smile Savers Dentistry
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Functional wax-up
Zirconia Restorations in Dentistry - Case Study - Dr. Anuja Patel, DDS - Smile Savers Dentistry

Dr. Patel requested a wax-up on teeth 3-14. Specifically, the case was waxed up with a bridge on 3-8, a bridge on 11-13, and single crowns on 9, 10, and 14. It was determined that 1mm of length should be added to 8 and 9, with all other teeth adjusted accordingly to maintain the proper proportions throughout the smile line.

A putty matrix was fabricated from the wax-up for Dr. Patel to use for temporization. In addition, a preparation guide was also provided.

Preparation and temporization

The preparation guide was used to prepare the teeth for final restorations. Once the teeth were prepared, the putty matrix was used to create the temporaries. The patient then had the opportunity to wear the proposed restorations and evaluate them before the actual restorations were fabricated.

Material Selection

It was determined that Zirconia would be an ideal material to use in restoring this patient. One of the key determinants is the aesthetic aspect zirconia restorations provide in restorative cases. This material provides a natural tooth-like color and translucency. Unlike metal-based restorations, Zirconia does not exhibit a grayish hue at the gingival margin ensuring a more pleasing outcome. Further, Zirconia can be precisely color-matched to the surrounding dentition creating a seamless blend with the natural teeth.

In addition, Zirconia has the following benefits:

  • Biocompatibility: Zirconia does not trigger allergic reactions or sensitivity, making it suitable for patients with metal allergies. Moreover, the smooth surface of Zirconia discourages plaque accumulation, reducing the risk of periodontal diseases.  
  • Durability and strength: Zirconia is incredibly strong and durable. It is highly resistant to cracking, chipping, or breaking, which makes it an excellent choice for restorations in areas of the mouth that experience high chewing or biting forces. 
  • Good bonding capability: Zirconia has a high bonding capability which makes it a suitable material for restorations. This allows for less tooth preparation and more conservative treatment. 
  • Excellent fit: Precision milling of zirconia restorations ensures an excellent fit with minimal adjustment needed during placement. 
  • Stain resistance: Zirconia restorations are resistant to staining, which is important for maintaining aesthetics over time. 
  • Versatility: Zirconia can be used for a variety of dental restorations, including crowns, bridges, inlays, onlays, and dental implant restorations. 
  • Radiopaque: Zirconia is radiopaque, meaning it appears clearly on X-rays. This allows for easy detection of any potential issues in follow-up appointments. 
  • Longevity: Due to their durability and resistance to wear, zirconia restorations can last for many years with proper care and hygiene. 
  • Minimally invasive: Due to the strength of Zirconia, restorations can be made thinner, meaning less tooth structure needs to be removed compared to other types of restorations.
Digital Impressions

Dr. Patel then scanned the patient with an intraoral scanner and uploaded the file to the Burbank Dental Lab online portal. The adoption of CAD/CAM technology has elevated the precision of Zirconia restorations even further. This technology enables the accurate fabrication of restorations, ensuring optimal fit, function, and aesthetics. Moreover, it allows for rapid production and shorter turnaround times, enhancing patient satisfaction.

Smiles By Design - Burbank Dental Lab - Burbank, CA

Due to the complexity of the case, the Burbank Dental Lab’s Smiles By Design team was tasked with creating a new smile for the patient. This team comprises of highly trained technicians who have completed extensive training in occlusion, esthetics, case design, and advanced technologies.

The team went to work on creating the models and mounting them on a Panadent Articulator. By mounting the case in this way, the team can ensure the crowns will be fabricated with the correct occlusion, functional movements, and the proper horizontal.

ZIRMAX Layered Zirconia
Zirconia Restorations in Dentistry - Case Study - Dr. Anuja Patel, DDS - Smile Savers Dentistry

The case was designed using the functional wax-up previously created as a guide. This wax-up was used to create provisionals worn by the patient and approved. By having the provisional pre-approved, the final restorations can be fabricated in the same length, shape, and characteristics of the approved wax-up. The restorations were milled using Burbank Dental Lab’s Zirmax layered zirconia.

The final restorations consisted of a bridge on 3-8 as well as 11-13 and single units on 9, 10, 14.

Zirconia Restorations in Dentistry - Case Study - Dr. Anuja Patel, DDS - Smile Savers Dentistry
Conclusion

In the quest for the perfect dental restorative material, Zirconia stands as a notable contender. With its blend of strength, aesthetics, and biocompatibility, it has transformed dental restorations, offering a viable alternative to traditional materials. As dental professionals, embracing Zirconia restorations can significantly enhance the quality of our restorative work, leading to superior patient satisfaction and improved oral health outcomes. Call or chat with us today to find out how Burbank Dental Lab can help you with your next case.

Burbank Dental Lab would like to thank Dr. Anuja Patel of Smile Savers Dentistry for providing the pictures and notes for this case.

Voted Top 5 Dental Labs in America 2023 -- Source: Dental Country

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Fabrication
of the future
is here!

Burbank Dental Lab has three new state-of-the-art Carbon M2 printers. We are very excited about the options that these cutting-edge printers will allow us to offer our dental clients. Here are some of the advantages that these printers will begin to deliver to you and your dental practice.

Our New
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Carbon offers a highly dependable 3D manufacturing solution for many dental applications with its breakthrough Digital Light Synthesis™ technology, enabled by a wide range of dental materials.