Zirconia crowns for teeth - what the placement looks like step by step

Zirconia crowns for teeth are prosthetic restorations permanently fixed to a natural tooth or a dental implant.

This article answers the question patients ask most often once they decide on this step: what exactly does the placement of zirconia crowns look like, how long does it take, does it hurt and how much does it cost.

We will walk through the entire process using a real case from our practice in Banja Luka, explaining every step - from the first examination to permanent cementation.

What zirconia crowns for teeth are - a short reminder

Zirconia crowns for teeth (colloquially also zirconia caps or zirconium dental crowns) are made of zirconium dioxide - a metal-free, biocompatible material that transmits light similarly to natural tooth enamel. The strongest variant, Prettau zirconia, milled from a monolithic block, reaches a flexural strength of up to 1200 MPa and is resistant to fracture.

Zirconia crowns for teeth are placed in three situations: on a prepared natural tooth, on an endodontically treated tooth reinforced with a post build-up, and on a dental implant via an abutment. In all three cases the goal is the same - restoring full chewing function and the natural look of the tooth.

The placement of zirconia crowns step by step

In our example case, the patient received Prettau crowns, made entirely of zirconia. Here is how the process went, step by step.

1. Examination, X-ray and treatment plan

Every placement of zirconia crowns for teeth begins with a detailed examination and a panoramic X-ray. The dentist assesses the condition of the teeth, gums and bite, and then goes through all options with the patient. Only when the patient understands and accepts the proposed plan do we move to the next step - because informed patients make the best decisions about their health.

2. Shoulder preparation of the teeth

The teeth are prepared under local anaesthesia, completely painlessly, with a shoulder - a precise circular margin along the gum line onto which the crown will later fit. Shoulder preparation is the most technically demanding and most important step of the entire procedure, which we discuss in more detail below.

3. Digital impression with the Planmeca Emerald S intraoral scanner

We do not take impressions and bite registrations with classic impression materials, but with the Planmeca Emerald S intraoral scanner, one of the most precise scanners of the latest generation. The digital 3D impression gives the dental technician excellent visibility of every detail of the prepared tooth, so errors in crown fabrication are reduced to a minimum.

4. Temporary crowns - the same day

Immediately after the impression, the patient receives temporary crowns. This means they are never left without teeth for a single day - they speak, eat and smile normally while the permanent zirconia crowns are being fabricated in the laboratory using the CAD/CAM system.

5. Try-in of the restoration

At the try-in we check the fit of the crowns, the future bite, the shape and the colour. This is the moment when the patient can request changes - a correction of the shade, length or shape of the teeth. In our example case, the first try-in of the Prettau crowns passed without a single objection.

6. Cementation

If the patient is satisfied, permanent cementation follows immediately. The cementation itself takes about an hour, and afterwards the patient can function without restrictions - no recovery, no break in eating, no special limitations.

Why shoulder preparation is crucial for the longevity of the crown

Shoulder preparation of the teeth in fixed prosthetic work is of decisive importance, for two reasons:

• A perfect fit. The shoulder gives the crown a clearly defined margin onto which it fits precisely. There are no micro-gaps between the crown and the tooth for bacteria to penetrate, so the risk of decay under the crown is minimal.
• Healthy gums. A properly shaped shoulder prevents any irritation of the gums. The gums along zirconia crowns for teeth remain pink, firm and healthy, without inflammation or bleeding.

For the patient, in practice this means a longer lifespan of the crowns and perfectly healthy gums. The combination of shoulder preparation and a digital impression is the reason why a well-made zirconia crown lasts ten years or more.

Crowns on healthy teeth - should they be placed?

More and more patients come to us wanting crowns on healthy teeth, purely for aesthetic reasons - because of colour, shape or minor irregularities. Our answer is professionally honest: a healthy tooth should not be prepared without a clear indication.

Preparation is an irreversible process, and modern dentistry offers less invasive alternatives:

• Veneers and lumineers - thin ceramic shells bonded to the front surface of the tooth with minimal or no preparation, ideal for correcting the colour and shape of healthy teeth.
• Teeth whitening - when colour is the only problem.
• Clear aligners - when the problem is the position of the teeth, not their structure.

Zirconia crowns for teeth are the right solution when a tooth is significantly damaged, treated, broken or when the bite is being reconstructed. When the tooth is healthy, we first consider options that preserve it. Which option is best in your case is determined at an examination - book an appointment and we will go through all the possibilities together.

Dr Žanet Beneš Ćulum and the team behind every crown

The precision of shoulder preparation and the quality of the final restoration depend directly on the knowledge and hand of the dentist. At the Elite Dent practice, your zirconia crowns are looked after by a team that includes Dr Žanet Beneš Ćulum, doctor of dental medicine and PhD candidate, who continuously improves her knowledge at professional conferences and seminars across Europe. Prosthetic work is led by Dr Boris Ćulum, a prosthetics specialist with more than 15 years of experience.

Our practice in Banja Luka has more than 20 years of work behind it, over 15,000 successful procedures, 98% satisfied patients and an average rating of 4.9 based on more than 300 reviews. The complete process - examination, preparation, digital impression, fabrication and cementation - is done under one roof. Meet our team.

Zirconia crowns for teeth - price

The price of zirconia crowns for teeth depends on the type of zirconia and on whether the crown is made on a natural tooth, a treated tooth or an implant. Current prices at the Elite Dent practice, in convertible marks (KM):

The exact price is determined after an examination, because it depends on the condition of the teeth and the scope of work. All prosthetic work comes with a 5-year warranty. You will find a complete overview of prices for all services on our price list, and more about all types of prosthetic restorations in our guide to dental prosthetics.

Conclusion

The placement of zirconia crowns for teeth is a fast, painless and predictable process: examination and plan, shoulder preparation, a digital impression with the Planmeca Emerald S scanner, temporary crowns the same day, a try-in and cementation lasting about an hour. The precision of every step - especially the shoulder preparation - directly determines how long the crowns will last and how healthy the gums will remain.

At the Elite Dent practice in Banja Luka we do the entire process digitally, under one roof and with a 5-year warranty on every prosthetic restoration. Take a look at our prosthetics service or book an appointment - and find out whether zirconia crowns are the right solution for your smile.