My dentist actually mentioned something similar about the fit being crucial. I went with zirconia myself because I'm a nervous wreck about dental stuff and wanted the strongest option possible, lol. But he did say porcelain can last just as long if it's done right and you don't grind your teeth or anything. Sounds like your son got a really good placement...maybe that's the key factor here rather than just the material itself?
My daughter got porcelain crowns on two of her molars about three years ago, and they're still holding up great. She doesn't grind her teeth, though, so maybe that's part of it. Our dentist also emphasized placement and fit over material alone, so your dentist might be onto something there. Honestly, I think a good dentist who takes their time makes all the difference...regardless of zirconia or porcelain.
Glad to hear your daughter's crowns are holding up well! I agree that dentist skill is huge, but honestly, I've seen zirconia crowns hold up better over the long haul, especially in molars. My brother had porcelain ones that chipped after about five years—even without grinding issues. Zirconia seems a bit tougher for chewing surfaces. But yeah, placement and fit definitely matter a ton too... probably more than most people realize.
Interesting points about zirconia. I've been researching this myself lately—my dentist recommended porcelain crowns, but after reading about durability issues, I'm having second thoughts. From what I've gathered, zirconia does seem to hold up better in molars due to its strength under pressure. But I'm also seeing some reports about zirconia being tougher on opposing teeth... have you come across anything solid on that? Trying to weigh all angles before making a decision.
I had similar concerns when deciding between porcelain and zirconia crowns. My dentist initially leaned toward porcelain for its aesthetics, but after some digging, I found zirconia tends to hold up better in the long run, especially for molars. About the opposing teeth issue—yeah, I've seen mixed info too. One study mentioned zirconia can indeed be tougher on the teeth opposite because it's harder, but apparently polishing and adjusting the crown properly can minimize that risk. Definitely worth discussing with your dentist before finalizing anything.
