Real cases from our clinic
Patients of Dr Haim Aseriel, photographed at the clinic and shared with their consent. Drag the line across the photo to compare.
Zirconia crowns
- Real patients of the clinic
- Published with patient consent
- Every result is individual
Patients who come to Dr Haim Aseriel's dental clinic in Jerusalem are looking for a durable, natural-looking and safe long-term solution. The consultation, held in English, ends with a clear treatment plan and a detailed written estimate.
What is a dental crown, and when is one needed?
A dental crown is a full cover over a natural tooth, used to restore a tooth that is damaged, cracked, has had root canal treatment or is so worn that a regular filling is not enough.
A dental crown is indicated when the tooth has lost a lot of structure but the root is sound and can serve as a stable base. Unlike a filling, a crown covers every surface of the tooth and restores its full shape, function and strength. The clinic's approach is conservative: a natural tooth that can be saved is usually better than any replacement.
What is a zirconia crown? Who is it for?
Zirconia (zirconium dioxide, ZrO2) is an advanced, metal-free ceramic that combines mechanical strength, good biocompatibility and a natural look. It is often called "zirconium", but it is a ceramic, not a metal.
A zirconia crown is especially suitable for patients with a metal allergy or sensitivity, for front teeth where appearance is critical, and for back teeth that must withstand high chewing forces. For surface defects, there are also zirconia veneers.
Porcelain or zirconia crown? Benefits of zirconia crowns
According to a systematic review, the 5-year survival rate is about 92% for zirconia crowns and about 95% for porcelain-fused-to-metal crowns (Sailer et al., Dental Materials, 2015). In a retrospective study that followed 619 monolithic zirconia crowns for up to about 7 years, the survival rate was 99.1% (Valenti et al., Journal of Prosthetic Dentistry, 2023).
Unlike a porcelain-fused-to-metal crown, whose metal framework can sometimes darken the surrounding tissue, a zirconia crown lets light through more naturally. Zirconia crowns veneered with a layer of porcelain failed more often than porcelain-fused-to-metal crowns because that layer chipped (Sailer et al., 2015); with a monolithic zirconia crown, made from a single block without a veneering layer, this risk is lower, but long-term studies on it are still limited. In addition, zirconia's low thermal conductivity reduces sensitivity to hot and cold after treatment.
| Criterion | Zirconia crown | Porcelain-fused-to-metal crown |
|---|---|---|
| Metal | Metal-free | Metal framework |
| Appearance | Lets light through more naturally | The metal framework can darken the surrounding tissue |
| Porcelain chipping | No veneering layer on a monolithic crown; more common on a veneered crown | Possible |
| 5-year survival | About 92% | About 95% |
How is a zirconia dental crown designed and made?
Digital scan
At the clinic, the tooth is recorded with an intraoral digital scanner (Shining 3D Aoralscan 3) instead of a traditional impression, which many patients find more comfortable. The data goes to the clinic's lab, which makes the crown. According to the clinic's lab, making a zirconia crown takes about 20 minutes (fabrication time, not the length of the appointment), so in suitable cases same-day crowns are possible.
The zirconia crown procedure, step by step
- Step 1, consultation and diagnosis: examination of the current situation and X-rays as needed.
- Step 2, tooth preparation: minimal shaping under local anesthesia, preserving as much tooth as possible.
- Step 3, digital scan: the exact dimensions of the tooth go to the clinic's lab, which makes the crown.
- Step 4, temporary crown: a protective cover until the final crown is delivered.
- Step 5, try-in and cementation: fit, shade and bite are checked before final cementation.
For complex cases, a detailed treatment plan covering every step is prepared in advance.
Zirconia crown cost: how is it set?
The cost of a zirconia crown is not uniform: it depends on the clinical complexity, the position of the tooth, the type of zirconia needed and the condition of the surrounding tissues.
In practice, patients receive a personal, detailed written estimate at the end of the consultation. The clinic does not publish a general price list, because the price depends on the condition of the tooth. Check that the estimate lists every part of the treatment: any preliminary treatment, tooth preparation, temporary crown, lab work and cementation. Itemized receipts are provided so you can submit them to your insurer (coverage depends on your policy).
How to protect your zirconia crown
Zirconia crowns are known for their strength, but good habits help them last longer.
- Daily brushing: with a soft toothbrush and a non-abrasive toothpaste.
- Flossing: clean between the teeth every day to prevent decay at the edge of the crown.
- No chewing on hard objects: ice, fingernails and hard candy put any crown at risk.
- Protection from grinding: patients who grind their teeth need a night guard as advised by the dentist.
Regular check-ups, as often as your dentist advises based on your individual risk (for many people, every six months), make it possible to spot changes early and keep the crown for many years.
Examination, treatment plan and price quote
detailed and personalized
During the consultation, Dr Haim Aseriel examines your teeth, explains all the options and gives you a transparent price quote, with no obligation. The clinic is at 12 HaTnufa Street, Jerusalem.
After your zirconia crown: recovery and maintenance
There is usually no recovery period after a zirconia crown is placed: you can return to normal activities once the local anesthesia wears off.
Mild sensitivity to hot or cold in the first days is common and usually goes away on its own. Sensitivity or pain that persists, or a feeling that the crown is "high" when you bite, should be checked by the dentist.
If zirconia is so strong, why aren't all crowns made of zirconia?
Patients who have read about the material's high survival rates often ask this question.
Zirconia is not right for every case: teeth with limited space, cases of extreme wear, or teeth that need very high translucency may be better served by other materials.
According to a systematic review, zirconia crowns had a lower survival rate on back teeth and were lost more often than porcelain-fused-to-metal crowns because of porcelain chipping and loss of retention (Sailer et al., Dental Materials, 2015).
In some cases, aesthetic priorities also justify choosing an E.max crown, known for its natural translucency. The dentist weighs the right option for you based on objective clinical findings.
Zirconia crowns: before and after
Zirconia crowns restore broken, worn or decayed teeth in appearance and chewing; the result depends on the condition of the teeth and gums before treatment and on how they are cared for afterward.
An observational study that followed 562 zirconia-based restorations in a private practice for 15 years found a cumulative survival rate of about 72% for crowns on natural teeth, with loss of retention as the most common cause of failure (Khijmatgar et al., BDJ Open, 2024), which underlines the importance of careful case selection and regular follow-up.
Zirconia crowns: book a consultation in Jerusalem
Zirconia crowns are a durable, natural-looking way to restore teeth, and the clinic restores teeth with both zirconia and E.max crowns, including as part of a full mouth rehabilitation that combines crowns, implants and bridges. If you are considering a zirconia crown, the right first step is a personal consultation: Dr Haim Aseriel, a US-trained dentist, examines the tooth, explains the options in English and gives you a detailed written estimate with no obligation. The clinic is at 12 HaTnufa Street in Talpiot, south Jerusalem.
Zirconia crowns: frequently asked questions
A zirconia crown is especially suitable for patients with a metal allergy or sensitivity, for front teeth where appearance is critical, and for back teeth that must withstand high chewing forces.
The choice between a porcelain-fused-to-metal crown and a zirconia crown depends on the position of the tooth and aesthetic needs. According to a systematic review, the 5-year survival rate is about 95% for porcelain-fused-to-metal crowns and about 92% for zirconia crowns. A zirconia crown is metal-free and does not create a dark line at the gumline, but it showed more technical complications on back teeth.
A monolithic zirconia crown is made entirely from a single block of zirconia, with no porcelain layer, so there is no outer layer that can chip. A layered (veneered) crown is covered with porcelain to improve its appearance, but that layer can chip off. Most long-term data on zirconia come from layered crowns; in a retrospective study of 619 monolithic crowns, 99.1% survived for up to 85 months.
Yes. "Zirconium crown" is a common name, but the material is zirconia (zirconium dioxide, ZrO2), a metal-free ceramic, not the metal zirconium. Zirconia crowns, zirconium crowns and "zirconia teeth" all refer to the same type of ceramic crown.
There is usually no recovery period after a zirconia crown is placed: you can return to normal activities once the local anesthesia wears off. Mild sensitivity to hot or cold in the first days is common and usually goes away on its own; sensitivity or pain that persists should be checked by the dentist.
Zirconia is not right for every case: teeth with limited space, cases of extreme wear, or teeth that need very high translucency may be better served by other materials. When appearance is the priority, E.max (lithium disilicate), known for its natural translucency, may be preferred.
Sources
- Sailer I et al., Dental Materials, 2015 – Link to study
- Valenti M et al., Journal of Prosthetic Dentistry, 2023 – Link to study
- Khijmatgar S et al., BDJ Open, 2024 – Link to study
- Fee PA et al., Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews, 2020 – Link to study
