Dental Nation
Material guide

Monolithic Zirconia

Monolithic zirconia crowns are studied for survival, complications and wear on the opposing tooth in CAD/CAM restorations.

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The short answer

Monolithic zirconia is a full-contour ceramic used for tooth-supported crowns made with CAD/CAM technology. Research has examined crown survival, biological and technical complications, and wear on the opposing tooth.

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Monolithic Zirconia dental educational illustration

What It Is

Monolithic Zirconia material questions
QuestionPatient meaning
What is being considered?Monolithic Zirconia is a dental material studied in relation to its composition, optical or mechanical behaviour, surface treatment and clinical use.[1][2]
What guides suitability?The planned restoration and its clinical indication.[1][2]

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Properties that matter

Its defining feature is a monolithic crown rather than a veneering layer. Studies assess both the restoration and the natural tooth that meets it during chewing.

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Where it is used

The material has been studied in fixed, tooth-supported crowns, including posterior restorations. The research also considers full-coverage prosthetic restorations and the forces acting on opposing teeth.

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Monolithic Zirconia material questions
QuestionPatient meaning
What is being considered?Monolithic Zirconia is studied for dental restoration applications.[1][2]
What guides suitability?The planned restoration and its clinical indication.[1][2]

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Alternatives to discuss

Monolithic zirconia can be weighed against metal-ceramic crowns when considering wear of the opposing tooth. The available review says an objective quantitative conclusion about natural enamel wear or metal-ceramic wear cannot be established.

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What it means for your treatment

Patients should know that the material choice involves more than crown strength. The evidence examines survival, biological complications, technical complications, clinical behaviour and the contact between the crown and its antagonist.

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Safety and longevity questions

Monolithic zirconia crowns produced progressive maximum wear of the opposing tooth over time, with that maximum wear greater than the maximum wear measured in the crown itself.

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Frequently asked questions

Is Monolithic Zirconia right for every tooth?

The main durability concern studied for these crowns is progressive wear of the opposing tooth over time.

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