What Makes Zirconia Special? How Does It Compare To Other Dental Implant Materials?

ARCHPOINT Implant Dentistry
24 Nov 202112:03
EducationalLearning
32 Likes 10 Comments

TLDRIn this insightful video, Nick Hanson dives into the world of dental materials, addressing the common dilemma patients face when choosing the best material for their dental prosthetics. Hanson dispels myths surrounding zirconia, a material often criticized for its weight and alleged fragility. Through a series of impactful experiments, including dropping zirconia teeth from various heights and even running over them with a car, the video demonstrates the remarkable flexural strength of zirconia, which boasts a flexural strength of over 1000 megapascals compared to 200-400 megapascals for nano ceramics and acrylics. Despite zirconia's heavier weight, Hanson emphasizes that its density does not significantly impact everyday use and argues that it remains the strongest dental material currently available. The video concludes by encouraging viewers to consider the practical implications of dental materials in daily life rather than being swayed by sensational online experiments.

Takeaways
  • 🦷 The decision on dental materials should focus on flexural strength, which is critical for everyday use and not on the ability to withstand a fall from a height.
  • πŸ—οΈ Zirconia is currently the strongest dental material, with a flexural strength measured in megapascals over a thousand, making it highly durable for long-term use.
  • πŸ“ Flexural strength, rather than weight or the outcome of dramatic experiments, is the most important attribute for the longevity of dental prosthetics.
  • πŸ” Online experiments often aim to show that zirconia breaks while nano ceramics do not, but these do not reflect the actual use and strength requirements of dental materials.
  • βš–οΈ Zirconia prosthetics are heavier than nano ceramic ones, with a significant weight difference that could affect the force upon impact but not the everyday function.
  • πŸ“‰ Nano ceramics and acrylics have a flexural strength ranging from 200 to 400 megapascals, which is significantly lower than that of zirconia.
  • πŸ€” The weight of dental prosthetics is not as critical as their strength and durability, and natural teeth also have a natural weight to them.
  • πŸ™οΈ Dropping prosthetics from a building is an unrealistic test of their strength and does notζ¨‘ζ‹Ÿ real-world scenarios where the force of the jaw is the primary concern.
  • πŸ”¨ Zirconia's high strength makes it more challenging to work with, requiring precision and accuracy that may not be necessary with other, more malleable materials.
  • πŸš€ There is ongoing research and development in dental materials, and while zirconia is currently the strongest, there is potential for future advancements.
  • ⚠️ Consumers should be cautious of experiments that might mislead them about the relative strengths of different dental materials and consider the practical implications for daily use.
Q & A

  • What is the main concern when choosing dental materials for replacing teeth?

    -The main concern should be the flexural strength of the dental material, which refers to the ability of the teeth to withstand bending, wear, tear, and grinding during everyday use.

  • How is flexural strength measured for dental materials?

    -Flexural strength is measured in megapascals (MPa), which indicates the strength of the material against flexing.

  • What is the flexural strength of zirconia dental material?

    -The flexural strength of zirconia dental material is over a thousand megapascals, making it one of the strongest materials currently used in dentistry.

  • How does the flexural strength of nano ceramic materials compare to zirconia?

    -Nano ceramic materials typically have a flexural strength ranging from 200 to 400 megapascals, which is significantly lower than that of zirconia.

  • Why do some experiments show zirconia breaking when dropped from a height?

    -The breaking of zirconia in such experiments is due to the high mass and weight of zirconia, which results in a greater force upon impact when dropped from a height, rather than an indication of its everyday durability.

  • What is the weight difference between zirconia and nano ceramic dental prosthesis?

    -Zirconia dental prosthesis weighs approximately three times more than nano ceramic prosthesis. For instance, a zirconia arch weighs around 1.4 ounces, while a nano ceramic one weighs about 0.8 ounces.

  • Why is zirconia considered a better option for longevity in dental applications?

    -Zirconia is considered better for longevity due to its high flexural strength and durability, which makes it more resistant to the wear and tear of everyday use compared to other materials.

  • What are the challenges in working with zirconia dental materials?

    -Zirconia is very hard and durable, making it the hardest dental material to work on. It requires a high degree of precision and accuracy during the crafting process, with less room for adjustments compared to other materials.

  • Why might someone consider using a lighter dental material instead of zirconia?

    -Lighter dental materials might be chosen for their lower cost and ease of manipulation. However, it's important to note that natural teeth also have a certain weight to them, and the difference in weight between zirconia and lighter materials may not significantly affect everyday use.

  • How did the video demonstrate the strength of zirconia dental prosthesis?

    -The video demonstrated the strength of zirconia dental prosthesis by conducting experiments that involved dropping the prosthesis from various heights onto concrete and running over it with a car, showing that it can withstand significant force and flexing.

  • What is the conclusion about zirconia dental materials after the experiments in the video?

    -The conclusion is that despite the high weight of zirconia, it remains the strongest dental material for everyday use. The experiments were not indicative of normal use scenarios and were conducted to showcase the flexural strength rather than to suggest that such impacts are part of everyday life.

Outlines
00:00
🦷 Dental Material Selection and Zirconia's Flexural Strength

Nick Hanson discusses the challenges patients face when choosing dental materials for tooth replacement. He emphasizes the importance of flexural strength, which is the ability of dental prosthetics to withstand flexing, wear, and grinding in everyday use. Hanson clarifies misconceptions from online experiments, which often focus on the impact resistance of materials like zirconia and nano ceramics. He explains that zirconia has a flexural strength of over a thousand megapascals, significantly higher than other materials that range from 200 to 400 megapascals. The video also addresses the weight of dental prosthetics, comparing zirconia's heavier nature to nano ceramics and highlighting that the weight difference is not substantial in the context of everyday use.

05:01
πŸ“ˆ Impact of Height on Dental Prosthetics: An Experiment

The video presents an experiment conducted by Nick Hanson and the operations manager, John, to test the durability of zirconia dental prosthetics. They drop a zirconia prosthesis from various heights onto concrete to simulate the impact it might endure. The experiment shows that while zirconia did not break when dropped from five feet, it broke when dropped from a height of 40 to 50 feet. Hanson uses his engineering background to explain the physics behind the impact, focusing on the role of mass and acceleration in calculating the energy dissipated upon impact. He concludes that while the weight of zirconia plays a role in the energy calculation, it is not a concern for everyday use, where the force exerted by the jaw is independent of gravity.

10:02
πŸ” The Future of Dental Materials and Zirconia's Superiority

Nick Hanson expresses excitement about the future of dental materials, acknowledging the ongoing experimentation with new materials. However, he asserts that currently, zirconia is the strongest material available for dental prosthetics. Despite being more challenging to work with due to its strength and durability, zirconia is highlighted as the best option for longevity. Hanson advises viewers not to be misled by experiments that might suggest other materials are superior. He stresses the importance of considering the practical implications for everyday life, rather than focusing on extreme scenarios like dropping prosthetics from significant heights. The video concludes with a demonstration of zirconia's strength by driving over it with a car, illustrating its flexural strength under more realistic conditions.

Mindmap
Keywords
πŸ’‘Dental Materials
Dental materials refer to the various substances used in the construction of dental prosthetics, such as crowns, bridges, and dentures. The video discusses the selection process for dental materials, emphasizing the importance of choosing the right material for tooth replacement. It is central to the video's theme as it sets the context for the discussion on material strength and durability in dentistry.
πŸ’‘Zirconia
Zirconia, also known as zirconium oxide, is a dental ceramic material renowned for its strength and durability. It is highlighted in the video as the strongest dental material currently available. The video compares zirconia's flexural strength to other materials, demonstrating its resilience in everyday use and under extreme conditions, such as being dropped from a height.
πŸ’‘Flexural Strength
Flexural strength is a measure of a material's ability to resist deformation under load. In the context of dental materials, it is crucial as it indicates how well a material can withstand the bending and flexing that occurs during normal chewing and grinding. The video emphasizes that flexural strength is more relevant to daily dental function than the ability to withstand a high-impact fall, which is often demonstrated in online experiments.
πŸ’‘Nano Ceramics
Nano ceramics are a type of dental material that are lighter and often less expensive than zirconia. They are mentioned in the video as an alternative to zirconia, with a flexural strength that ranges from 200 to 400 megapascals, which is significantly less than zirconia. The video discusses the trade-offs between using nano ceramics and zirconia, particularly in terms of strength and cost.
πŸ’‘Acrylics
Acrylics are a common material used in dentistry for dentures and other prosthetic devices. They are lighter and more flexible than zirconia but have lower flexural strength. The video compares acrylics to zirconia, noting that while they are easier to work with, they do not offer the same level of durability and longevity.
πŸ’‘MegaPascals (MPa)
MegaPascals is a unit of measurement for pressure and stress, used in the video to quantify the flexural strength of dental materials. A higher MPa value indicates a stronger material. The video uses MPa to compare the flexural strength of zirconia with other materials, with zirconia scoring over 1000 MPa, which is significantly higher than nano ceramics and acrylics.
πŸ’‘Weight of Dental Prosthesis
The weight of dental prosthesis is discussed in the video as a factor that can influence the force with which it hits the ground when dropped. Zirconia prosthesis is noted to be heavier than nano ceramic ones, which affects the energy dissipated upon impact. However, the video argues that weight is less critical in everyday use, where the force exerted by the jaw is more relevant.
πŸ’‘Online Experiments
Online experiments, such as dropping dental prosthetics from heights, are mentioned in the video as a way some providers demonstrate the strength of their materials. The video conducts its own experiments to challenge the validity of these demonstrations, arguing that they do not accurately represent the conditions that dental materials experience in everyday use.
πŸ’‘Engineering Principles
Engineering principles are applied in the video to analyze the force and energy involved when dental prosthetics are dropped from different heights. The video uses concepts like acceleration due to gravity and the equation for kinetic energy to explain why zirconia breaks under certain conditions, despite its high flexural strength.
πŸ’‘Longevity
Longevity is a key consideration when choosing dental materials, as it relates to how long the prosthetics will last under normal use. The video argues that zirconia offers the best longevity due to its high flexural strength, despite being more difficult to work with and more expensive than other materials.
πŸ’‘Everyday Use
Everyday use is the context in which the video evaluates the practicality of different dental materials. It contrasts extreme demonstration scenarios, like dropping prosthetics from buildings, with the normal activities involving teeth, such as chewing and grinding. The video emphasizes that the flexural strength of dental materials is more important for everyday use than their ability to withstand unusual impacts.
Highlights

Nick Hanson discusses the complexities of choosing dental materials for patients looking to replace their teeth.

Different labs and providers are promoting new materials, claiming they are superior to long-standing ones.

The video includes experiments to test the strength of dental materials, such as dropping teeth from a building.

Zirconia is often shown to break in these experiments, while nano ceramics do not, raising questions about the relevance of such tests.

Flexural strength, which measures the ability to withstand flexing and grinding, is identified as the most important attribute for dental prosthetics.

Zirconia teeth have a flexural strength of over a thousand megapascals, significantly higher than other materials.

Nano ceramics and acrylics have a flexural strength ranging from 200 to 400 megapascals, much lower than zirconia.

The weight of zirconia prosthetics is three times that of nano ceramics, which may affect the force upon impact.

A zirconia arch weighs approximately 1.4 ounces, comparable to an almost empty water bottle.

The weight of natural teeth and dental prosthetics is significant, contrary to the trend towards lighter materials.

Zirconia is currently the strongest material for dental prosthetics, despite being more challenging to work with.

The video demonstrates the durability of zirconia by dropping it from various heights and running it over with a car.

Zirconia's strength is best for longevity, but other materials may be more cost-effective and easier to work with.

Nick Hanson emphasizes the importance of not being misled by experiments that do not reflect everyday use of dental prosthetics.

The video concludes that zirconia is currently the best option for dental prosthetics in terms of strength and durability.

Future advancements in dental materials are anticipated, with ongoing experimentation and research.

The practical application of dental materials is more about everyday use rather than extreme tests like high-impact drops.

Transcripts

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Dental MaterialsZirconia StrengthProsthesis TestingDropping TeethFlexural StrengthDental CareNick HansonMaterial ComparisonDental HealthExperimentsDurability