Zirconium or Laminated?

“Zirconium or Laminated?” The question is a subject investigated by people who have aesthetic expectations and generally demand smile design. This article will be a guide for those who are considering which of the zirconium or laminated tooth coating applications to choose. These two treatment options are frequently preferred in dental aesthetics and smile design applications.

Both treatment options have their own advantages. But there are serious differences between them. The biggest difference;

• Laminate veneer (leaf porcelain) is applied only to the front surface of the tooth with no cut or minimal cut. It is applied to the teeth one by one.

• In zirconium, cuts are made all around to allow for the thickness of the material. It is full coverage.

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Zirconium Dental Veneer Application

Zirconium is a durable and aesthetic material. Recently, it has started to be used in different fields due to its machinability. Computer aided systems have expanded the usage area of zirconium. Due to its high tensile strength, white color suitable for tooth color, not damaging the tissue and low grain diameter, zirconium is used in dentistry applications;

• As an infrastructure material in crown and bridge applications (Core)

• As monolithic  in crown and bridge applications (Full zirconium)

• As a special form implant

• As an implant abutment material

• As post-core material

• As an orthodontic bracket

started to be used. In addition, zirconium,

• If implants cannot be made to complete missing teeth, in bridge application

• In teeth where tooth tissue loss is high and filling application is insufficient

• To prevent color reflection in teeth with severe discoloration

• In people whose gap between teeth cannot be closed with laminate application

• People using metal-supported bridges and crowns (veneers)

• It can be preferred in the restoration of fractures that filling application cannot fix.

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Zirconium Construction Stages

The application is carried out by going through the following stages: In the application of zirconium, first the preparation processes are performed and the size of the tooth is taken.

• The amount of zirconium preparation, that is, the amount of tooth cutting, is higher than the laminated veneer (leaf porcelain) application.

The compatibility of the sample prepared in the laboratory environment with the gingiva and its structure is checked. If the substructure is suitable enough for the tooth, the aesthetic arrangement begins. Then an aesthetic rehearsal is done. The zirconium application, including the bonding process, takes an average of 3-10 days. Zirconium or Laminated? Before answering the question, it will be necessary to explain the advantages of zirconium.

Amalgam Filling

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Advantages of Zirconium Application

Zirconium veneer application has many advantages. Of course, these advantages can be mentioned as a result of good clinical and laboratory workmanship. These:

• Just like a tooth, it is semi-permeable and opaque, so it both reflects and absorbs light.

• A look close to the natural tooth is obtained.

• It adds depth and vitality to the tooth structure.

• A negative image, gray reflection does not occur in gingival recessions.

• Dark lines do not occur at the junction of the gingiva and the application.

• It does not cause an allergic reaction.

• The zirconium coating made with special cements adheres to the tooth very well.

• As a bridge material in areas with missing teeth and without implants.

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Laminate Tooth Coating Application

Basically, there are serious differences between laminated and zirconium. It is placed on only one side of the laminated tooth. It can be called 1/4, 1/3 coating according to the application. Zirconium is a restoration applied all around to the tooth.

Laminated Tooth application is applied to the front surface of the teeth and offers the possibility of minimum material removal with porcelain leaves adhered to the tooth. Leaves can be prepared in desired colors, sizes and shapes. In the application, very little tissue is taken from the tooth without damaging the gums. In this sense, laminate application is a form of preventive treatment. In some cases, it is applied without any abrasion from the teeth. Briefly, the features of the laminated application:

• It provides high-level aesthetics.

• It does not contain a metal or opaque substructure.

• It is completely glass-ceramic, chemically bonded to the tooth with a special bonding system.

• It transmits the desired amount of light.

• It is indistinguishable from a real tooth.

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Laminate Construction Stages

For laminate application, first of all, tooth size is taken and temporary teeth are made. In this way, the patient can continue his daily life until a permanent application is made. The patient who has temporary teeth is applied laminate within 7-10 days at the latest. laminate application,

• Trials are made at Wax Up and Mock Up stages.

• The measurement is taken.

• Made-to-measure leaves are rehearsed in the mouth and their arrangements are made.

• Laminated teeth are bonded with a material called resin.

• Laminates, which adhere quite tightly, cannot be separated from the tooth easily.

• The patient is involved in all these stages, determining the form of the tooth and adjusting the color; It is prepared by analyzing the patient's request and technical details.

• Leaf Porcelains, Laminate Veneer;  is one of the most important parts of smile design.

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Advantages of Laminate Application

Advantages of Laminate Application

Advantages of laminate application:

• It can be applied without cutting the tooth.

• If there are places where cutting is required, it is minimal.

• The tongue side of the tooth, that is, the inner part of the tooth, is not cut.

• It does not change color.

• It is a preventive treatment.

• A healthy and natural appearance is obtained.

• It can be used for many years as it is made of sturdy and durable material.

• The natural structure of the teeth does not deteriorate.

• Laminate exposed to external factors (coffee, cigarette, tea, etc.) does not change color.

• Tooth stain and tartar formation on the laminated surface is minimized.

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Should Zirconium or Laminate Be Preferred?

Zirconium or Laminated? The answer to the question varies according to the tooth to be applied. We cannot say that every tooth that allows zirconium application is also made with Laminate. It has different indications.

In this direction, we, dentists, suggest that the results of the examination are very important. smile design applications and other treatments should be criticised and decided.

Many factors such as enamel texture and structure on the tooth surface and abrasions on the tooth are effective in the selection of treatment.

• If you have a missing tooth, an implant or zirconium bridge can be made to fill that gap. Laminate Veneer is applied only to individual teeth. Bridge application is not possible.