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Material guide

Zirconia

Zirconia is a strong ceramic for indirect restorations and implant components, with less translucency than lithium disilicate.

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The short answer

Zirconia is a strong ceramic used in indirect restorations and implant components, although it is less translucent than lithium disilicate.

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Zirconia dental educational illustration

What is zirconia?

Material properties relevant to selection
MaterialPatient-relevant distinction
ZirconiaStrong ceramic with less translucency than lithium disilicate.[1][2]
Lithium disilicateMore translucent than zirconia, with flexural strength reported at about 250 to 400 MPa.[1][2]

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What properties does zirconia have?

Ceramics provide aesthetics, chemical inertness and wear resistance, while their hardness can create wear concerns for opposing teeth. Zirconia's mechanical properties are stronger than those of lithium disilicate, but zirconia is less translucent.

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Where is zirconia used?

Zirconia is used in indirect restorations, including monolithic and layered zirconia restorations. It is also studied for dental implant use and can be used as an implant abutment.

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Ways zirconia is used
FormWhat it means
Monolithic zirconiaA restoration made from zirconia without a separate veneering layer.[1]
Layered zirconiaZirconia with a veneering material, where veneer fracture or chipping is a possible complication.[1][2]

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What are the alternatives?

Alternatives include lithium disilicate, feldspathic porcelain and titanium for implant components. Lithium disilicate is more translucent, while titanium has superior mechanical properties as an implant material.

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What does zirconia mean for appearance and function?

The material can prioritise mechanical strength over the translucency available with lithium disilicate. A layered design adds a veneering material, whereas a monolithic design removes that separate veneer layer.

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What are the main risks?

Ceramics can fracture when flexed excessively, and their hardness may wear opposing teeth. Layered zirconia restorations can chip or fracture in the veneering material. For implant use, surface treatment changes how zirconia bonds with tissue and how it resists bacterial adhesion.

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Frequently asked questions

Why might someone choose zirconia instead of lithium disilicate?

Zirconia generally provides greater strength, while lithium disilicate provides greater translucency.

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