Translucent Zirconia in Fixed Prosthodontics—An Integrative Overview

Abstract

Over the past two decades, dental ceramics have experienced rapid advances in science and technology, becoming the fastest-growing field of dental materials. This review emphasizes the significant impact of translucent zirconia in fixed prosthodontics, merging aesthetics with strength, and highlights its versatility from single crowns to complex bridgework facilitated by digital manufacturing advancements. The unique light-conducting properties of translucent zirconia offer a natural dental appearance, though with considerations regarding strength trade-offs compared to its traditional, opaque counterpart. The analysis extends to the mechanical attributes of the material, noting its commendable fracture resistance and durability, even under simulated physiological conditions. Various zirconia types (3Y-TZP, 4Y-TZP, 5Y-TZP) display a range of strengths influenced by factors like yttria content and manufacturing processes. The study also explores adhesive strategies, underlining the importance of surface treatments and modern adhesives in achieving long-lasting bonds. In the realm of implant-supported restorations, translucent zirconia stands out for its precision, reliability, and aesthetic adaptability, proving suitable for comprehensive dental restorations. Despite its established benefits, the review calls for ongoing research to further refine the material’s properties and adhesive protocols and to solidify its applicability through long-term clinical evaluations, ensuring its sustainable future in dental restorative applications.

Comprehensive Evaluation of Titanium, Zirconia, and Ceramic Dental Implant Materials: A Comparative Analysis of Mechanical and Esthetic Properties

“…In summary, the findings demonstrate the favorable color stability, translucency, and surface roughness of zirconia compared to titanium and ceramic materials [ 26 ]. However, the performance of zirconia is influenced by various factors, necessitating further research to comprehensively understand its behavior in different conditions and applications.…”

Use of Ultra-Translucent Monolithic Zirconia as Esthetic Dental Restorative Material: A Narrative Review

“…While conventional Zr has an elastic modulus of 215 GPa and a flexural strength of >1100 GPa (Table 1), the strength of translucent Zr is determined to be only half that of conventional Zr, with variations occurring based on the manufacturer [9]. However, translucent Zr has been discovered to have better fracture resistance than lithium disilicate and other porcelain-veneered restorations, in addition to its flexural strength [9,[21][22][23][24][25][26]. Translucent monolithic Zr undergoes slow aging, sometimes referred to as lowtemperature deterioration (LTD) over time [27,28].…”