Zirconium dental crowns or all-ceramic crowns, are a type of dental restoration used to cover or cap a damaged or decayed tooth. They are made from zirconia, a strong and durable ceramic material that closely resembles natural teeth in terms of color and translucency. Zirconium dental crowns offer several advantages over traditional metal or porcelain-fused-to-metal crowns, making them a popular choice for many patients.  

Zirconia is known for its exceptional strength and durability, making it highly resistant to wear and fracture. This makes zirconium crowns suitable for restoring both front and back teeth, including molars, where the forces of chewing are greatest.

Zirconia dental crowns can be customized to closely match the color, shape, and size of the surrounding natural teeth, resulting in a restoration that blends seamlessly with the smile. The translucent properties of zirconia also contribute to a natural appearance by allowing light to pass through the crown similar to natural tooth enamel. Zirconia is a biocompatible material, meaning it is well-tolerated by the body and unlikely to cause allergic reactions or sensitivities. This makes zirconium crowns suitable for patients with metal allergies or sensitivities.

Difference with metal crowns?:  zirconium crowns require less tooth structure to be removed during the preparation process. This more conservative approach helps preserve more of the natural tooth structure, which is beneficial for the long-term health and stability of the tooth. Zirconia is highly resistant to staining and discoloration, helping the crown maintain its aesthetic appearance over time. This makes zirconium crowns an excellent choice for patients concerned about the longevity of their dental restorations.

Zirconium dental crowns are commonly used for various dental applications such as:

- Zirconia crowns can restore teeth that have been severely decayed, fractured, or weakened due to trauma or extensive dental work.

- Zirconium crowns can improve the appearance of teeth with cosmetic imperfections such as discoloration, shape irregularities, or minor misalignment.

- Zirconia crowns can be used to replace old or failing crowns made of other materials, providing a more durable and aesthetically pleasing restoration.

Overall, zirconium dental crowns offer a reliable and versatile solution for restoring the form, function, and appearance of teeth while providing long-lasting results and patient satisfaction.

Tip: in some Western countries it is so expensive that you are automatically offered metal crowns while in cheaper countries it is the contrary. It is not worth asking for metal crowns in countries where zirconium crowns are always offered with all on 4 or unit dental implants services.  

Clinics and hospitals in Belgium is something local. As the country has Dutch and French speaking areas, most hospitals and clinics are managed by local municipalities. Also Belgium covers all type of treatment and the number of medical centers is well sorted between clinics and hospitals. Some hospitals offer a large number of beds and therefore the number of clinics and hospitals is not the main thing but the overall number of beds offered by all medical centers. Most clinics are around the capital, Bruxels but you will find clinics in Flemish part in Bruges, Ostend but also Ypres or Kortrijk, Many clinics are JCI accredited and well rated.

You can also find in Ghent a medical Universtiy as well as close to Antwerp. Bruxels and its surroundings offers by far the largest medical offer for local and international patients with various CHU or local Hospitals in Bruxels. Each block of the capital has its own hospital and when it comes to the French speaking part you will find CHU in Liege, Namur or Charleroy for instance. Dental centers are everywhere in Belgium but not so many have their own laboratories for dental implants and crown implants.