Zirconia crowns: why the material has two different names

In Israel it is called "zirkonya", in Russian-speaking practice "cirkoniy", and it is the same material. Here is where the confusion comes from and why the material is valued.

We are talking about zirconium dioxide — a ceramic based on the metal zirconium. The English name, zirconia, became "zirkonya" in Israeli practice, while Russian-speaking dentistry names it after the element itself. There is no difference in the material, only in the language.

The element takes its name from zircon: a transparent, very hard stone long used as a diamond substitute. That hardness is exactly the property that brought the material into dentistry.

What makes these crowns good

• they look natural: the material transmits light, and there is no dark line at the gum as with metal-ceramic
• no metal — no grey edge and no compatibility questions
• strong and comfortable under chewing load
• they allow very precise work — the crown is produced from a digital impression

Where care is needed

A zirconia crown is hard, and that is not only an advantage: with a poorly built bite it can wear down the opposing tooth. That is why before any prosthetic work we look at the bite as a whole, not at a single tooth.

One more thing worth knowing in advance: the material has a limit on the length of bridges. That is covered in a separate article.