Types of Zirconia Crowns: Complete Material Guide

PUBLISHED: July 03, 2025

Expert Zirconia Crown Material Guidance and Cementation Techniques from Dr. Mark McOmie

Selecting the right zirconia crown material is crucial for long-term clinical success. This comprehensive guide explores the different types of zirconia crowns (3Y, 4Y, and 5Y) and cementation methods. Dr. Mark cOmie based these methods on his years of clinical work and research with Gordon Christensen's CR Foundation.

Watch the Full Webinar: View Dr. McOmie's complete presentation "The Latest Crown and Bridge Materials for Higher Quality and Faster Dentistry"

Download Quick Reference PDF Guide

Understanding Different Types of Zirconia Crowns

Modern zirconia for dental crowns has evolved significantly, offering practitioners multiple options to meet specific clinical needs. Understanding the types of zirconia crowns available helps ensure optimal treatment outcomes for every patient.

The classification of zirconia crown material depends on yttria content. This content affects the material's strength and translucency. Using these descriptions can help you avoid confusion with brand names and instead use clear, relevant distinctions.

Types of Zirconia Crowns

When selecting zirconia for dental restorations, practitioners must understand the three primary types of zirconia crowns available today. Each zirconia type offers distinct advantages for specific clinical situations.

Tetragonal Zirconia (3Y) Crown Material

Composition: 100% tetragonal phase
Strength: 1000-1500 MPa
Key Feature: Transformational toughening
Applications: Maximum strength requirements, minimal prep situations
Oral Arts Brand Name: Tetra-Z

Medium Translucency Zirconia (4Y) Crown Material

Composition: 75% tetragonal, 25% cubic phase
Strength: 600-1050 MPa
Key Feature: Balanced strength and translucency
Applications: Versatile use - anterior aesthetics, posterior restorations
Oral Arts Brand Name: Element-Z

High Translucency Zirconia (5Y) Crown Material

Composition: 50% tetragonal, 50% cubic phase
Strength: 500-700 MPa
Key Feature: Maximum translucency, looks more like natural teeth
Applications: Aesthetic-critical anterior restorations
Oral Arts Brand Name: Ultra-Z

The 3Y tetragonal formulation offers unmatched durability through its unique transformational toughening properties, where small cracks actually self-heal over time. Modern 4Y zirconia crown material has achieved impressive strength levels—some reaching over 1000 MPa. This has expanded the versatility of 4Y, making it suitable for both aesthetic and higher-stress applications. Meanwhile, 5Y zirconia provides the highest translucency for cases where natural appearance is the primary concern.

Zirconia Crown Material Indication and Preparation Guide

The Psychology of Smile Transformation

Beyond the technical aspects, Dr. McOmie's highlights the profound psychological impact of successful zirconia restorations. Patients often experience not just improved oral health, but enhanced confidence, career advancement, and overall quality of life.

"When I showed him his after pictures, he said, 'I look more intelligent now.' He's been promoted four times and attributes a lot of that to his teeth, because he just thinks he looks smarter.

Zirconia Cementation: The Critical Success Factor

Despite excellent properties of zirconia crown material, proper zirconia cementation remains the most challenging aspect of treatment. The #1 question fielded by Gordon Christensen's CR Foundation is: "How do I cement zirconia crowns successfully?" Dr. McOmie's extensive research has identified the key factors for successful zirconia cementation.

Understanding Zirconia Cementation Challenges
The key to successful zirconia cementation lies in understanding that contamination from saliva and blood during try-in can reduce bond strength by up to 50%. This contamination interferes with the MDP (10-Methacryloyloxydecyl Dihydrogen Phosphate) molecule that provides the chemical bond essential for effective zirconia cementation.

Why MDP is Essential for Zirconia Cementation
MDP is the gold standard for zirconia cementation, but it's highly specific. The "D" stands for "deca" (10 in Latin), indicating the 10-carbon chain length required for optimal zirconia cementation. This precise molecular structure is essential for successful long-term bonding of zirconia crown material.

Proven Zirconia Cementation Protocol

Dr. McOmie's zirconia cementation protocol addresses the most common causes of zirconia crown failure. It ensures predictable bonding success with any type of zirconia crown material.

Step 1: Crown Cleaning
Use Katana Cleaner (or equivalent MDP-containing cleaner) for 10 seconds with a microbrush. Alcohol is insufficient for removing phosphate contamination from zirconia crown material.

Step 2: Tooth Preparation
Clean the preparation with the same cleaner used in step 1, then rinse thoroughly, and air dry.

Step 3: Desensitization
Apply Gluma (or micro-prime) in two coats, one minute per coat. Do not rinse—only air dry. This increases bond strength up to 30% while eliminating bacteria during zirconia cementation.

Step 4: Priming
Apply ceramic primer containing MDP to the crown's internal surface and air dry.

Step 5: Cementation
Use self-adhesive resin cement for questionable retention cases, or resin-modified glass ionomer cement (Gordon Christensen's recommendation) for good retention situations.

The Importance of Isolation in Zirconia Cementation

Dr. McOmie emphasizes that proper isolation during cementation is paramount for long-term success. He recommends isolation systems like Isolite that provide both cheek retraction and suction. The investment in proper isolation equipment quickly pays for itself through better outcomes and faster procedures.
"If your tooth is wet, that bond will fail over time."

Choosing the Right Zirconia Crown Material for Your Practice

Today's zirconia crown material selection involves balancing strength, aesthetics, and clinical requirements. In many cases, dentists prefer 4Y zirconia for its ideal combination of durability and natural appearance. However, 3Y is a great choice when maximum strength is the priority.

Key considerations when selecting types of zirconia crowns include:

• Clinical Environment: Assess occlusal forces, parafunctional habits, and restoration location
• Aesthetic Requirements: Consider translucency needs for the specific case
• Preparation Design: Factor in available space and prep geometry
• Long-term Prognosis: Evaluate patient factors that may affect restoration longevity

Frequently Asked Questions About Zirconia Crown Material

What are the main types of zirconia crowns available?
The three main types of zirconia crowns are 3Y (tetragonal), 4Y (medium translucency), and 5Y (high translucency). Each zirconia crown material offers different strength and aesthetic properties for specific clinical applications.

Which zirconia crown material is strongest?
3Y tetragonal zirconia crown material offers the highest strength (1000-1500 MPa) with transformational toughening properties.

What is the most important factor in zirconia cementation?
Proper cleaning to remove phosphate contamination is the most critical factor in zirconia cementation. Using MDP-containing cleaners like Katana Cleaner before zirconia cementation prevents the most common cause of crown debonding.

Can I use 4Y zirconia for posterior teeth?
Yes, while 3Y is the strongest for posterior restorations, modern 4Y zirconia crowns exhibit exceptional strength. With over 1000 MPa, 4Y is suitable for high-stress areas.

What cement should I use for zirconia cementation?
For zirconia cementation, use either self-adhesive resin cement (for questionable retention) or resin-modified glass ionomer cement (for good retention cases). Both are reliable when you follow proper cleaning protocols.

Key Takeaways for Zirconia Crown Material Success

Understand the science behind the different types of zirconia crowns (3Y, 4Y, 5Y) to make informed material selections
3Y zirconia has a unique ability where small cracks actually stop propagating and self-heal over time.
Modern 4Y zirconia crown material offers excellent strength (up to 1050+ MPa) with enhanced aesthetics for versatile clinical use
Master MDP-based zirconia cementation protocols to prevent the most common cause of zirconia crown failure
Invest in proper isolation systems for consistent, long-term zirconia cementation success
Consider the psychological impact of aesthetic zirconia crown material
Embrace digital tools that help patients visualize outcomes and improve case acceptance for zirconia crown treatment

About This Article
This article is based on Dr. Mark McOmie's recent webinar "The Latest Crown and Bridge Materials for Higher Quality." Dr. McOmie is a CR evaluator with Gordon Christensen's CR Foundation and has evaluated over 500 dental products in his Chattanooga, Tennessee practice.

Additional Resources

Full Webinar Recording: Watch Dr. McOmie's complete 90-minute presentation with Q&A
PDF Reference Guide: Download the Zirconia Selection & Cementation Protocol Guide