Zirconium or Zirconia? Both Words, One Crown
Worth settling first, because the two spellings cause real confusion and you will see both used for the same thing.
Zirconium is the metal element.
Zirconia is zirconium dioxide, the ceramic made from it. When a dentist says zirconium crown or zirconia crown, they mean the same restoration: a tooth-coloured ceramic crown made from zirconium oxide.
You may also see it written as
zirconium oxide, or in laboratory terms as
yttria-stabilised tetragonal zirconia. Same material. The yttrium is added to stop the ceramic changing crystal structure and cracking, which is what makes modern zirconia strong enough for back teeth.
So if you have been quoted for a zirconium crown by one practice and a zirconia crown by another, that difference is vocabulary, not treatment. What actually varies between quotes is the type of zirconia and how it is finished, covered below.
Cubic zirconia is something else entirely
A genuinely common mix-up, and worth being clear about.
Cubic zirconia is the sparkly jewellery stone used as a diamond substitute. It is a different crystal form, it is optically clear, and it is not used to make dental crowns. If you have searched for a cubic zirconia crown, what you almost certainly want is a zirconia dental crown, which is opaque white and shaded to match your teeth.
The confusion is understandable, since both come from zirconium oxide. The dental version is engineered for strength and tooth-like appearance rather than sparkle.
Not All Zirconia Is the Same
This is the part that explains why two zirconia crowns can look and cost quite differently, and it is rarely explained at consultation.
Monolithic or full-contour zirconia is milled from a single solid block. The strongest option, and the least likely to chip because there is no layered porcelain to break away. Slightly more opaque, so it is the usual choice for molars where strength matters more than translucency.
Layered or veneered zirconia has a zirconia core with porcelain built over the visible surface. Better looking, because the porcelain gives depth and translucency that solid zirconia cannot quite match. The trade-off is that the porcelain layer can chip, which solid zirconia does not do.
High-translucency zirconia is a newer generation formulated to pass more light, closing much of the appearance gap while staying monolithic. Usually the best compromise for front teeth.
The practical question at your consultation:
which type is being used, and why that one for this tooth? A good answer sounds like “monolithic at the back for strength, high-translucency at the front for appearance.” A vague answer is worth probing.
Zirconia Against the Alternatives
The decision most people are actually making, set out honestly.
Against E-max (lithium disilicate): E-max looks marginally better on a single front tooth because it handles light beautifully. Zirconia is considerably stronger and is the safer choice for molars, for anyone who grinds, and for longer bridges. On a front tooth in isolation, E-max often wins on looks; anywhere load matters, zirconia wins. See our
E-max crowns page.
Against porcelain fused to metal: zirconia has essentially replaced it. Similar strength, no metal substructure, and therefore no dark line appearing at the gum as it recedes over the years. See
porcelain crowns.
Against gold: gold still edges it on longevity and is gentler on the opposing tooth, but it looks like metal. Only really a contender for a molar nobody sees.
Against a large filling or onlay: if enough sound tooth remains, a filling or onlay preserves more of your own tooth and costs less. A crown is the answer when there is not enough tooth left to hold a filling reliably.
The one honest drawback
Zirconia is very hard. Harder than enamel. That means it can wear the natural tooth biting against it, particularly if you grind. It is a manageable issue rather than a reason to avoid it: the crown is polished to a smooth finish, and a nightguard is sensible if you grind. But it is a real consideration and you should hear it before treatment, not after.
What Zirconia Crowns Cost, Including Multiple Crowns
Ours are from £995 per crown, and finance from £23.13 a month is set out above. Indicative UK market ranges run roughly £500 to £1,500 per zirconia crown depending on the type and the laboratory.
For more than one crown, two things are worth knowing.
The per-crown fee does not usually fall much. Each crown is individually made and fitted, so six crowns is close to six times one crown. Anyone advertising a heavily discounted full set is likely using a cheaper laboratory or a different material.
Full-set and full-arch pricing is quoted case by case, because it depends on how many teeth need crowning versus veneering, and whether any need root treatment or building up first. If you are considering a full upper arch for appearance rather than repair, veneers may be the more conservative option, since a crown covers the whole tooth and a veneer only its face. Our
veneers pages cover that comparison.
For pricing across every crown material rather than zirconia alone, see our guide to
dental crown costs in the UK.
What can be added to the quote
A core build-up if the tooth is substantially broken down. A post if it is root-treated with little left above the gum.
Root canal treatment if the nerve is involved, which is a separate treatment rather than part of the crown. Ask for the total to a finished tooth in writing, so you are comparing like with like.
How Long They Last, and What Shortens It
Reported lifespans for zirconia run 10 to 20 years, and the figure quoted above reflects what we see in practice.
What ends a crown is rarely the zirconia failing. It is almost always one of these:
- Decay at the margin, where the crown meets the tooth. The crown cannot decay; the tooth underneath can, and on a root-treated tooth there is no nerve to warn you. This is found on X-ray at a check-up, which is the practical case for keeping them up
- Gum recession exposing the margin, which is a cosmetic issue with zirconia rather than the dark line you would get with metal underneath
- Grinding, which loads the crown and wears the opposing tooth. A nightguard is the fix
- Cement failure, where the crown comes loose. Keep it and bring it in; recementing costs far less than remaking, provided the tooth is sound. Do not superglue it
Frequently Asked Questions
Is there a difference between zirconium and zirconia crowns?
No. Zirconium is the element, zirconia is the ceramic made from it, and both words are used for the same crown. Zirconium oxide means the same thing.
Are cubic zirconia crowns a thing?
Not in dentistry. Cubic zirconia is the clear jewellery stone. Dental crowns use a different, opaque form of zirconium oxide, shaded to match your teeth.
How much does a zirconia crown cost in the UK?
Indicative market ranges run roughly £500 to £1,500 per crown. Ours are from £995, with finance from £23.13 a month.
How much for a full set of zirconia crowns?
Quoted case by case, and the per-crown fee does not drop much because each crown is individually made. If the goal is appearance rather than repair, veneers are usually the more conservative and less expensive route.
Which is better, zirconia or E-max?
E-max looks slightly better on a single front tooth. Zirconia is stronger and is the better choice for molars, for grinders, and for bridges. Many treatment plans use both, chosen per tooth.
Do zirconia crowns look natural?
Yes, particularly high-translucency or layered zirconia. Solid monolithic zirconia is slightly more opaque, which is why it is favoured at the back where strength matters more.
How long do zirconia crowns last?
Typically 10 to 20 years. What usually ends them is decay at the margin or cement failure rather than the ceramic wearing out.
Can zirconia crowns chip?
Solid zirconia very rarely chips, since there is no layered porcelain to break away. Layered zirconia can chip its porcelain surface, which is the trade-off for the better appearance.
Do zirconia crowns damage the opposing teeth?
They can cause wear on the natural tooth biting against them, because zirconia is harder than enamel. A well-polished crown reduces this, and a nightguard is advisable if you grind.
Can zirconia crowns be whitened?
No. Ceramic does not respond to whitening. If you plan to whiten your natural teeth, do it before the crown is made so the shade can be matched to the final result.
How many visits does a zirconia crown take?
Typically two, with the laboratory work between, and the timeline above reflects that. You wear a temporary crown in the meantime.
Zirconium Crowns in Elephant & Castle
Whether zirconia is right for your tooth depends on which tooth it is, how much of it is left, and whether you grind. That is one appointment to establish, and you get the full cost in writing before anything starts.
Call
020 7928 4474 or
book online. We are at 3 St George’s Court, Garden Row, London SE1 6HD, minutes from Elephant and Castle, Borough, Waterloo and London Bridge.
See also our
dental crowns overview, and
cracked tooth repair if the tooth is broken rather than decayed.
Market price ranges and lifespans are indicative UK figures from published 2026 cost guides. Our own fees are as stated above and confirmed in writing after assessment. This page is general information, not a diagnosis. Last reviewed August 2026.
