Porcelain bridges with zirconia are the most modern achievement of aesthetic dentistry. Zirconium is a white material that replaces the traditional metallic skeletons of the metalloceramic crowns and has been successfully used in orthopedics since 1969 to manufacture artificial hip joints. The strength of a three rear bridge made of zirconia is 2-3 times higher compared to a corresponding all-ceramic and therefore has a strength similar to the metalloceramic restorations.
Zirconia is not only an extremely durable material, it also has the advantage of being a white and light-proof material. In addition, its excellent biocompatibility and corrosion resistance (maintains its resistance to water or moisture) makes it ideal for immobile prosthetic work. The zirconia skeleton is even finer than the metal skeleton, which requires less tooth grinding. In zirconia, less microbial adhesion is observed, even with titanium, which is the medical reference in prosthetic implant, which gives us less chance of developing gum inflammation.
Zirconia bridges have the drawbacks of high manufacturing costs, detachment of porcelain coating (reduced bond strength between porcelain-zirconia), while their indication is limited to bridges of 3-4 pieces, anterior or posterior teeth. However, if there are no intense chewing pressures, larger bridges can be built, while the discovery and use of transparent zirconia bypasses the usual ceramic-ceramic protocol and have crowns of a single material without the porcelain coating. Thus, we are relieved of annoying detachments or breaks of aesthetic material.
