Zirconium Dioxide Immediate Dental Implants White Crystalline Oxide
Zirconia
Zirconium dioxide (ZrO 2 ), also known as zirconia (not to be confused with zircon), is a white crystalline oxide of zirconium. Its most naturally occurring form, with a monoclinic crystalline structure, is the mineral baddeleyite.
Baddeleyite is a rare zirconium oxide mineral (ZrO 2 or zirconia), occurring in a variety of monoclinic prismatic crystal forms. It is transparent to translucent,
has high indices of refraction, and ranges from color-less to yellow, green, and dark brown.
Baddeleyite is a refractory mineral, with a melting point of 2700°C.
Advances in biomaterial science and ceramic manufacturing technology have allowed the production of high strength and biocompatible zirconia that can be
used in biomedical devices and implant abutments.
The introduction of yettria partially stabilized tetragonal zirconia polycrystals (Y-TZP), powder injection molding (PIM), and hot isostatic pressing (HIP) tech-niques were the hallmarks of this development.
Otherdevelopments such as the use of zirconia-toughened alumina and ceria-doped zirconia to minimize the incidence and halt the progression of zirconia aging are also considered as key steps in the growing popularity of zirconia as a bioceramic.
| Abutment material |
Forming the peri-implant seal |
Maintaining the peri-implant seal |
| Zirconia | Comparable ability to form a peri-implant seal to that of machined or polished titanium |
Most hygienic abutment on the market allowing improved long-term maintenance of the peri-implant seal |
Because of its material properties and strength, zirconia is utilized whenever esthetic considerations are important and high loads are expected (e.g. esthetic zone cases, posterior fixed prosthesis frameworks, implant abutments, and multi-unit implant restora-tions).
Zirconia has a high bending strength and fracture toughness, and a Young’s modulus comparable to that of steel. In addition to its strength, the greatest advantage of ZrO 2 is its excellent tissue integration.
Various studies have demonstrated the successful application of zirconia abutments in terms of stability of soft tissue and marginal bone. Results indicate that the type of material used affects both the amount and quality of the surrounding tissues (when comparing zirconia with cast gold alloys).
Also, ziconia abutments minimize bacterial and plaque adhesion and prevent
soft tissue inflammation.
