Zirconia Restorations
High-strength CAD/CAM milled zirconia restorations with superior aesthetics and biocompatibility. Available in full-contour, monolith, and translucent multilayer options. Prosthetic Options are as follows:- • BRUXZIR • 3M LAVA • ZICON • ZENOSTAR • CERCON • UPCERA EXPLORE
CAD/CAM Zirconia
CAD/CAM Zirconia crowns and bridges are milled from high―purity zirconia blocks using our state―of―the―art 5―axis millin…
- Exceptional strength (>1200 MPa)
- 100% metal-free restoration
- Excellent biocompatibility
Monolith Zirconia
Monolithic Zirconia (also called Full―Contour Zirconia) is fabricated as a single, solid zirconia unit with no porcelain…
- Zero chipping risk – single solid unit
- Ideal for bruxers and high-load cases
- Excellent translucency options
Translucent Zirconia
Translucent Zirconia represents the latest generation of zirconia materials, offering significantly improved optical pro…
- Natural tooth-like translucency
- Multilayer color gradient options
- Suitable for anterior aesthetic cases
Questions & Answers
Frequently Asked Questions
Zirconia (zirconium dioxide) is a high-strength ceramic material used in dentistry for its exceptional mechanical properties and biocompatibility. With flexural strength exceeding 1200 MPa, zirconia is one of the strongest dental materials available. It is 100% metal-free, highly resistant to fracture, and does not cause gingival discolouration or metal allergies.
Zirconia is significantly stronger than the porcelain used in PFM restorations. Monolithic zirconia has a flexural strength of 1000–1400 MPa, compared to 60–100 MPa for feldspathic porcelain. This makes zirconia far more resistant to fracture and chipping, particularly in posterior regions under high occlusal load.
Yes. Zirconia is a ceramic material and contains no metal. It is an excellent choice for patients with metal allergies, those who prefer BPA-free and metal-free restorations, and clinicians who want to eliminate the grey metal shadow sometimes visible at the gingival margin with PFM.
Full-contour (monolithic) zirconia is milled as a single solid block with no porcelain overlay. This eliminates any risk of chipping. Layered zirconia uses a zirconia coping that is then veneered with feldspathic porcelain for enhanced aesthetics, similar to PFM — though the risk of porcelain chipping is lower than traditional PFM. Translucent multilayer zirconia is a newer category that achieves aesthetic results comparable to glass ceramics while maintaining significantly higher strength.
Yes. Zirconia is one of the most suitable materials for long-span bridges due to its high flexural strength and resistance to flexure under load. We regularly fabricate multi-unit and full-arch zirconia bridges. Please specify the number of units and pontic design on your prescription.
For full-contour monolithic zirconia, a minimum axial reduction of 0.5–0.8 mm and an occlusal reduction of 1.0–1.5 mm is recommended. For layered or aesthetic zirconia requiring porcelain overlay, a slightly deeper preparation of 1.0–1.5 mm axially and 1.5–2.0 mm occlusally is preferred. A chamfer or rounded shoulder margin gives the best fit. Please refer to your material guide for case-specific requirements.
Shade can be specified using the VITA Classical shade guide or the VITA 3D-Master system. For full-contour zirconia, we apply surface stains and glaze to achieve the desired shade. For multilayer translucent zirconia, the shade is selected at the disc level and characterised with stains. A clinical photograph alongside the shade tab is always helpful for accurate shade communication.