The development of oral restoration materials has always been an important direction of oral medicine research. Traditional metal alloy restorations have long dominated due to their high strength and good processability. However, the limitations of metal materials in terms of aesthetics, biocompatibility and long-term stability have gradually prompted all-ceramic materials to become the mainstream. Among them, dental zirconia is widely used in crowns, bridges, inlays, veneers and implant superstructures due to its high strength, high toughness, good biological properties and excellent aesthetic performance.
First, in terms of mechanical properties, zirconium oxide has a flexural strength of about 900–1500 MPa and good fracture tension, which is significantly superior to traditional glass ceramics and most metal alloys. It can effectively withstand the high torque of oral chewing function and is an ideal choice for posterior teeth and span bridge restorations.Secondly, in terms of biosafety, zirconium oxide has extremely high chemical stability and biological inertness, does not release metal ions, has good gingival tissue compatibility, and has almost no cytotoxicity or allergic reactions. It is especially friendly to patients with metal allergies and can exist stably in the complex environment of the oral cavity for a long time.
In terms of aesthetic performance, with the development of multi-layer gradient zirconia and high light transmittance formula, its optical properties are close to natural enamel, with natural color transition, no metal shadow, clear and controllable edges, especially suitable for the front teeth area where the aesthetics of the restoration are extremely high. Through professional dyeing, glaze firing or glass ceramic outer layer processing technology, zirconia restorations can obtain highly realistic tones and textures, effectively meeting the aesthetic needs of patients.
In terms of adapting to the digital restoration process, zirconia blocks can be seamlessly integrated with the current mainstream CAD/CAM system, supporting the digital design and processing of the entire process, greatly improving the accuracy, efficiency and personalization of restoration production, shortening the treatment cycle, and enhancing the convenience of doctor operation and patient satisfaction. In addition, zirconia materials have excellent edge stability and tightness, reducing the probability of microleakage and secondary caries, and improving the reliability of long-term clinical use.
More importantly, zirconia restorations have shown high long-term stability and low complication rates in clinical follow-up. A large amount of clinical evidence supports its excellent survival rate and functional retention effect in a use period of 5, 10 or even longer years. It is not only suitable for single tooth restoration, but also for full-mouth complex restoration and implant bracket system, becoming one of the core materials with the most balanced performance and the widest application range in modern oral restoration materials.
In summary, dental zirconia blocks combine high strength, high stability, high aesthetics and high processing adaptability. They not only meet the dual requirements of modern restorations for function and aesthetics, but are also highly consistent with the development trend of digital dentistry. They are an indispensable key material in the field of contemporary oral fixed restorations, and their application potential in personalized and precise oral medical care in the future cannot be ignored.