Are You Allergic to the Zirconia Crown or the Glaze?

Posted by AllSmiles

If you suspect that you have a lithium allergy or sensitivity, you may wonder whether a zirconia crown is a lithium-free option. The answer is not always straightforward because the finished restoration may include more than one material.

Understanding how zirconia crowns are made can help you have an informed discussion with your dentist.

Why Might a Zirconia Crown Contain Lithium?

A zirconia crown is only one part of the restoration. Many dental laboratories apply a thin porcelain glaze after the crown is completed. This glaze gives the crown a smooth, glossy appearance. According to one manufacturer, some glazing materials contain lithium compounds.

Another manufacturer has stated that its zirconia material contains some lithium as part of the product itself. This means the answer may depend on which brand of zirconia your dentist and laboratory use.

Is Glazing a Zirconia Crown with Lithium the Only Option?

A lithium glaze is not the only option.  A zirconia restoration can be finished by carefully polishing the surface instead of adding a glaze. Although this approach requires more work from the laboratory technician, it creates a smooth zirconia surface without glazing.

How Can You Learn What Materials Were Used?

Patients often assume their dental records list every material used in a crown or bridge. However, the information may not be complete.

If you have concerns about dental materials, consider requesting:

• Your restoration records from the dental office
• The laboratory certificate identifying the materials used
• The manufacturer and product name of the zirconia
• Information about whether the restoration was glazed or polished
• Material safety information from the manufacturer

Having this information before treatment may make future decisions much easier.

Reasons to Plan If You Suspect a Sensitivity or an Allergy

Once a crown or bridge has been placed, determining the materials used can become much more difficult. If the laboratory no longer exists or records are unavailable, it may be impossible to confirm whether the lab used a glaze containing lithium.

For patients with known allergies or sensitivities, discussing material options before treatment allows the dentist and laboratory to plan the restoration with those concerns in mind.

Chandler, Arizona, dentists Dr. William Walden and Dr. Tyrel Beavers sponsor this post. Read about their efforts to provide the best dental care in Chandler.