Z Crown Zirconia: Which Z Crown to Prescribe for Each Case

The quick answer: Z Crown is the zirconia crown and bridge family from Bayshore Dental Studio, and it comes in four options. Prescribe Z Solid for maximum strength in posterior crowns, bruxers, and long span bridges. Choose Z Crown Anterior when you want high translucency full contour zirconia in the esthetic zone. Use Z Crown Plus when you want zirconia strength with porcelain esthetics on the facial surface, and Z Crown Layered when the case calls for e.max ceramic layered over a zirconia coping. Every Z Crown accepts digital scans from any intraoral scanner as well as traditional impressions.

What is Z Crown?

Z Crown is a zirconia restoration lineup made by Bayshore Dental Studio, a full-service dental laboratory since 1992. Z Crown zirconia reaches up to 1400 MPa flexural strength and is milled from multilayered discs with a built-in color gradient, so the shade transitions from cervical to incisal much like a natural tooth. It is indicated for anterior and posterior crowns, bridges up to 38 mm with two abutments, bridges up to 47 mm with multiple abutments, and three unit inlay bridges.

The four Z Crown options at a glance

Z Solid: maximum strength

Z Solid is full contour zirconia with up to 1400 MPa strength, finished with glazing and polishing for a natural look. It is the right choice for bruxism, heavy occlusal loads, posterior crowns, and long span or full arch bridges, where there is no layered porcelain to chip.

Z Crown Anterior: strength with translucency

Z Crown Anterior is a high translucency, multilayered, full contour zirconia designed for the esthetic zone. It is an esthetic alternative to full cast crowns and metal occlusals, and its glazed finish helps prevent plaque buildup and reduce wear on the opposing dentition.

Z Crown Plus: zirconia with a porcelain facial

Z Crown Plus is a hybrid design. The restoration is zirconia for strength, with e.max ceramic porcelain layered onto the facial third and finished with hand painted stain and a smooth polish. Choose it when you want the durability of zirconia with porcelain esthetics where the patient sees them.

Z Crown Layered: a layered ceramic on a zirconia coping

Z Crown Layered uses e.max ceramic layered over a zirconia coping. It is a strong, metal free alternative to porcelain fused to metal, with refined esthetics and proven wear characteristics for cases where layered porcelain is the priority.

Preparation guidelines for Z Crown

Zirconia rewards a clean, well defined prep. For Z Crown:

• Anterior crowns: 1.0 to 1.5 mm axial reduction and 1.5 to 2.0 mm incisal reduction.
• Posterior crowns: 1.0 to 1.5 mm axial reduction and 1.5 to 2.0 mm occlusal reduction.
• Margins: shoulder or chamfer. A feather edge is not recommended.
• Cementation: Z Crown can be conventionally cemented with dual cure resin, glass ionomer, resin ionomer, zinc phosphate, or polycarboxylate cement.
• Adjustments: cement or bond the crown before adjusting, use a fine diamond with water and air to keep it cool, and polish with a pink rubber wheel and diamond polishing paste.

For a detailed prep reference, see our all ceramic crown preparation guide.

Z Crown or IPS e.max?

Choose Z Crown zirconia when strength comes first: posterior crowns, bridges, and patients who grind. Choose IPS e.max for single anterior units where translucency is the top priority and the load is lower. When a case needs both, Z Crown Anterior, Z Crown Plus, and Z Crown Layered bridge the gap. For a full comparison, read our guide to zirconia vs. IPS e.max, and for multi unit cases, see our zirconia bridge clinical guide.

Send your next Z Crown case

Z Crown works with the workflow you already use. Send a scan from the IntelliScan 3D or any open intraoral scanner through Send a Digital Case, or ship a traditional impression through Send a Conventional Case. Learn more about the full lineup on the Z Crown zirconia crowns and bridges page, or send your next Z Crown case to Bayshore.