Alumina: Dental Crowns, Cores, and Reinforcement

New dental materials are developed, the substance alumina has been rising in popularity, particularly in the field of dental crowns.

Dentistry is an ever-evolving science that strives to utilize the most advanced technologies. New materials are developed to improve past techniques and offer better options for dentists and patients. To this end, the substance alumina has been rising in popularity, particularly in the field of dental crowns.

What It Is

Known by scientists as aluminum oxide, this ceramic compound was first introduced in the 1990’s and has since gained prominence in the world of dentistry. Alumina boasts both a very high melting point and an extraordinary level of stability and resistance.

These qualities make alumina the perfect candidate for use both in and outside of the dental field. Aside from its dental purposes, alumina is used in fluorescent and sodium vapor lamps, hip replacements, bicycle parts, protection against radiation, and insulation for electronic circuits, spark plugs, and high-heat furnaces.

The material’s hardness and abrasive nature allow dentists to avoid metals altogether. Alumina reinforces crowns in a less porous form, and it’s naturally occurring off-white pigmentation serves to make crowns appear more natural.

Common Uses

Alumina can be an advantageous choice for a variety of dental practices, especially tooth implants and crowns. Some common dental uses for alumina include:

Alumina Cores – like most dental materials derived from metal, alumina is used in conjunction with other substances to create various types of crowns. Slipcasting, the original method for alumina cores (introduced in 1989), suspends alumina particles in water.

It then uses a mold to form the material into the right shape, while pulling out any excess moisture. Cores can also be ground down from a full block of aluminum oxide.

Glass Infusion – as opposed to pure alumina, this process immerses glass particles into the alumina core after the core has been slipcast and sintered.

Crowns – Alumina compounds are often used to coat cores of other materials. This procedure also involves slipcasting and sintering the alumina to obtain the right shape.

Benefits

The use of alumina in these techniques improves both the density of crowns/cores (which must be highly compact to work properly) and their surface qualities.

With infusions, the glass element adds further protection from fracturing and overall brittleness. The glass also allows a ceramic coating to be applied to improve a crown’s appearance, giving it a more natural color and sheen. Practices of slipcasting and sintering provide flawless fits and appearances, as well create true-to-life shapes, textures, and hues.

Alumina has now become one of the most popular materials for crowning. Not only do dentists appreciate the material’s durability and hardness, but patients love its natural appearance.

No more looking like a Miami mobster with a grill full of gold – aluminum oxide provides a much more natural look that dental patients aren’t embarrassed to don, and dental experts love to work with.

Maya Bornstein devotes most of her time to writing – professionally, creatively, and inevitably. This post was written on behalf of CashforDentalScrap.com, which provides an avenue for dental professionals and others to sell dental gold.