Porcelain vs. Zirconia
Major Differences Between the Materials
At Astoria Dental Group, we prefer zirconia dental restorations over those made of any other material, including porcelain, because they have shown unmatched strength, durability, longevity, cosmetics, and patient comfort.
Similarities between Zirconia and Porcelain Restorations
Understanding the Advantages and Disadvantages of Your Options
Pros
| Zirconia | Porcelain | |
|---|---|---|
| Biocompatible | X | X |
| Nearly unbreakable | X | |
| Non-porous | X | X |
| Prevents abrasion to surrounding teeth and gums | X | |
| Lasts several years | X | X |
| Can be color-matched | X | X |
| Metal-free | X | X |
Cons
| Zirconia | Porcelain | |
|---|---|---|
| Can chip or stain | X | |
| Could cause wear to other teeth | X | |
| Cannot withstand pressure affecting back teeth | X | |
| Hypersensitivity to heat and cold | X | |
| Requires large amounts of tooth reduction | X | |
| Costs more than metal and porcelain-fused-to-metal (PFM) crowns | X | X |
| Hard to notice underlying decay | X |
Finally a screw retained permanent implant bridge that is not acrylic or porcelain! It’s 100% zirconia and will not chip, crack, or stain! It’s the future of implant dentistry.
