Yeah, hearing about that granola bar incident makes me nervous too... I'm scheduled to get my first crown soon and I've been obsessively researching durability. Zirconia seems tougher overall, but now I'm second-guessing my snack choices—maybe softer foods for a while?
I've had zirconia crowns for about five years now, and honestly, they've held up pretty well. I was super cautious at first too—avoided nuts, granola bars, even crunchy apples for a while. But after a few months, I gradually got braver and started eating normally again. Haven't had any issues yet (knock on wood).
One thing my dentist mentioned was that zirconia is definitely stronger overall, but porcelain can sometimes look more natural depending on where the crown is placed. Mine are in the back, so durability was more important than aesthetics. If yours is visible when you smile, you might wanna consider that aspect too.
Also, don't stress too much about snacks—just be mindful at first and ease back into your usual diet slowly. Your confidence will build up over time. And hey, worst-case scenario: granola bars aren't going anywhere...you can always circle back to them later!
I've had porcelain crowns for nearly eight years now, and honestly, they've been pretty solid too. Mine are front teeth, so appearance was a priority—but I've never really babied them food-wise. Apples, nuts, granola bars...you name it, I've eaten it without issues. Maybe I'm just lucky? I'm curious though—has anyone had both types over the years and noticed a big difference in staining or discoloration between zirconia and porcelain?
"Mine are front teeth, so appearance was a priority—but I've never really babied them food-wise."
Same here, my daughter got porcelain crowns on her front teeth about five years ago, and they've held up great even with her biting into apples and crunchy snacks. Haven't tried zirconia yet, but our dentist mentioned porcelain might stain slightly easier over time...haven't noticed anything major though.
My porcelain crowns have held up pretty well too, but I do notice a tiny bit of staining after coffee or tea. Nothing major though. Wonder if zirconia handles staining better over the long run?
