Monolithic Zirconia Crowns

One material, milled to final anatomy, stained and glazed. No porcelain to chip - which is why monolithic zirconia is the default for posterior and bruxism cases.

What we offer & who it is for

We manufacture monolithic zirconia restorations for practices and laboratories - posterior crowns and bridges, implant crowns and heavy-occlusion cases.

Work from this line

Full Contour Zirconia Crown and Bridge - case 2

Zirconia Crown for Posterior Teeth - case 2

Options

Materials	Multilayer gradient discs and high-strength discs, in VITA classical and 3D-Master shades.
Anatomy	Full-contour milled anatomy from libraries, adjusted to your preference profile; copy-existing-dentition on request.
Surface	Stained and glazed, or polished; antagonist-aware surface finish on request.
Occlusal design	Flat, anatomical, or matched to the antagonist dentition from your scan.

Specifications & industry guidance

Parameter	Industry reference	Notes
Flexural strength	800-1,200 MPa (3Y/4Y grades)	No veneering porcelain - full-strength material
Recommended occlusal thickness	1.0 mm minimum · 1.5 mm for bruxism	Thinner than 1.0 mm moves to 5Y/layered indications
Chipping resistance	Highest of the fixed prosthodontic options - no porcelain layer	Surface stains and glaze only
Cementation	Self-adhesive resin cement standard	Conventional cement acceptable on retentive preps
Typical indications	Posterior singles and bridges, implant crowns, bruxism, full-arch frameworks	Aesthetic-zone units usually go layered/E.max

Practical guidance for your prescriptions

Specify 'monolithic full-contour' plus shade; stained character is added at the staining/glazing stage.
Reduce sharp occlusal anatomy requests for bruxism cases - steeper cusps concentrate load.
Multilayer monolithic bridges: note the margin level so the enamel-like layer sits incisally/occlusally where it shows.
For patients grinding through acrylic guards, monolithic zirconia is the standard upgrade path.

Reference figures are widely accepted industry values for the material/system class - case-specific parameters are confirmed at design. Reviewed by the Istar case coordination team.

Indications & limits

Monolithic zirconia trades incisal translucency for strength - for high-aesthetic anterior units we will usually propose layered zirconia or E.max before production.

Zirconia against porcelain antagonists needs a different polish than zirconia against enamel - tell us the antagonist so the surface finish is right.

What to submit with your case

STL scan (or model/impression) of prepared tooth and opposing arch
Rx form with shade, translucency level and margin design
Antagonist material note (enamel / porcelain / zirconia)
Bite registration for multi-unit cases
Photos with shade tab for aesthetic-zone cases

How the case is made & checked

Intake and assumption confirmation

CAD design to your anatomy and contact preferences

Milling from a shade-matched disc, in-house sintering

Staining/glazing or polishing to prescription

Multi-stage inspection: fit, contacts, occlusion, shade

Independent release sign-off and packaging

Inspected for marginal fit, proximal contacts, occlusion and colour at the standard checkpoints; records traceable to technician, equipment and disc batch.

Production time & shipping

Standard 2-3 lab day workflow for routine cases; the clock starts when data is complete and approved. Shipping is separate.

Real cases

Posterior crown on a bruxism patient

A monolithic full-contour molar with a polished, antagonist-aware finish - chosen over layered porcelain because of the patient's grinding history and reduced clearance.

Pricing & fees

Priced per the B2B price list by restoration type; volume pricing for accounts. Freight and import duties billed separately; rush handling by written confirmation.

If something goes wrong

Laboratory-side remakes are covered free of charge - see the full remake & warranty policy. Every remake starts with a root-cause analysis you are part of.

Frequently asked questions

Will a monolithic zirconia crown look too opaque?

Not with current multilayer materials - gradient discs give a natural cervical-to-incisal transition. For anterior teeth wanting deeper translucency, we will steer you to layered zirconia or E.max.

Is monolithic zirconia safe against natural enamel?

Polished monolithic zirconia is wear-friendly to enamel - often more than layered porcelain. Tell us the antagonist and we adjust the surface finish.

How strong is monolithic zirconia compared with layered?

Monolithic zirconia keeps the full flexural strength of the material because there is no veneering porcelain - that is why it is the default for posterior units, bridges and bruxism cases. Layered zirconia trades some chipping resistance for incisal optics.

Can monolithic zirconia still look natural?

Yes. Modern multilayer discs carry a built-in shade and translucency gradient, and we add surface staining and glazing for character. For anterior units where optics are critical, we usually advise layered zirconia or E.max instead.

What is the longest bridge you accept in monolithic zirconia?

Long-span posterior bridges are routine, but span limits depend on the arch position and opposing dentition. Send the case details and we confirm the design approach - long-span cases get a named senior technician and a design preview before milling.

Do you need a different prescription for monolithic work?

No special form - just note 'monolithic full-contour' and the target shade. If you want minimal reduction or a specific stained character, attach photos and we confirm the design before production.

Ready to send your first case?

Request the price list or tell us about your first case - a named coordinator replies with the next step, not a sales script.

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Content owner: Istar Dental Lab (case coordination team) · Last updated: 2026-10-28