Does zirconia actually hold up better for people who clench or grind? Or do both types still need a night guard?
My kid had to get a crown after cracking a molar (thanks, trampoline accident), and the dentist recommended zirconia specifically because it’s tougher. From what I understood, it’s less likely to chip compared to porcelain, especially if you’re a grinder. But—and this is the part that surprised me—they still strongly pushed for a night guard. Apparently, even “indestructible” crowns can wear down or cause issues with the teeth they bite against.
We went with zirconia for peace of mind, but my kiddo still wears a night guard at bedtime. It’s kind of like buying a really sturdy phone case but still not wanting to drop your phone on concrete, you know? I wouldn’t say it’s all hype, but it’s not magic either. If you’re prone to grinding, that night guard is still your friend.
It’s kind of like buying a really sturdy phone case but still not wanting to drop your phone on concrete, you know?
That’s a perfect way to put it. I’ve had both porcelain and zirconia crowns over the years (thanks to my jaw being a stress ball), and honestly, zirconia has held up better for me. Porcelain always seemed to chip at the edges after a while, especially since I clench at night. But yeah, even with zirconia, my dentist was pretty insistent on the night guard.
I used to think getting the “tougher” crown meant I could skip the extra steps, but nope... learned that lesson the hard way. My first zirconia crown lasted, but I ended up with wear on the tooth above it from grinding. The night guard felt annoying at first, but now it’s just part of my routine.
It’s totally normal to feel like you’re going overboard with protection, but I’d rather have that peace of mind than deal with another cracked tooth. Your kid’s lucky you’re on top of it—trampoline accidents aside, sounds like you made a solid call.
That’s spot on about the night guard. I’ve seen a lot of folks think zirconia is practically indestructible, but honestly, nothing’s totally immune to grinding or a bad accident. I always worry more about the opposing teeth—sometimes they take the hit instead. It can feel excessive, but that extra layer of caution really does pay off in the long run... especially for anyone who clenches or grinds at night.
I totally get what you mean about worrying for the opposing teeth. I’ve seen a few folks come in thinking zirconia means they’re set for life, but then their natural tooth opposite the crown starts showing wear. It’s a bit of a catch-22, right? Zirconia is super tough—sometimes too tough. I actually stress more about that than the crown itself breaking.
Porcelain can chip or crack if you’re a heavy grinder, but it’s a bit kinder to the tooth it’s biting against. Still, if someone’s grinding at night and not wearing a guard, both materials can run into trouble eventually... Honestly, I wish everyone who grinds would just wear the night guard, even though I know it feels like overkill sometimes.
I had a patient last year who insisted on skipping it because “zirconia is bulletproof,” and six months later, he was back with a chipped molar on the opposite side. Just goes to show—nothing’s invincible in there. If you’re a clencher or grinder, that extra step really does save headaches (and money) down the road.
That’s exactly what I worry about for my kid. We went with zirconia for his crown since he’s super rough on his teeth, but then I started reading about it being hard on the tooth it bites against and kinda freaked myself out. The dentist mentioned a night guard too, and I’ll admit, it felt like overkill at first—he’s only 12! But hearing stories like yours makes me feel better about pushing him to use it. It’s just not worth the risk, especially with how expensive fixing teeth can get.
