20 November 2023

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The life of Zirconia

Massimo Gagliani

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I am old enough to have seen the evolution of numerous materials, among them I came across composites that retracted and turned yellow, the most disconcerting root canal filling pastes and the miraculous injections to make the gums bloom again.

Zirconia could be part of this extravagant world but, over time, I think it is the material that, more than any other, has attracted the attention of clinicians and researchers.

Starting as a basis for ceramic prosthetic restorations, which chipped with alarming frequency (to be cool they "recorded some chipping"), it gradually gained an autonomous role to also come to be considered a valid material for both prosthetic solutions and implants endosteal.

In fact, the literature findings are increasingly favourable. I don't think there are any wonders in this regard, the material is largely the best among those for restoration, to deal with bacterial colonization. As we all know, this represents the real danger for reconstructions and implants.

However, a final reflection remains.

We have reached this point after twenty years (I generalize) of actions, carried out on paying patients, who have experienced with us the innovations of an omnivorous market, often little tested.

Moreover, according to more than one survey we conducted, a large part of the training is entrusted to companies. With all due respect to them, are we so sure that the training message is fair and disinterested?

Certainly dentistry today has improved a lot and for this reason we should be sufficiently calm, however analyzing certain choices with greater rationality could be the right limiter to futuristic but adventurous choices.