Zirconia as a Restorative Material. Part 2: Clinical Considerations for Staining, Tooth Preparation and Cementation

Zirconia has undergone significant modifications to enhance its optical properties, with the percentage of yttria being a crucial determinant. Surface treatment techniques, such as air abrasion, primer application and resin cement application, play critical roles in achieving reliable zirconia restorations. This two-part review explores the critical factors of transformation toughening and low-temperature degradation, interpreting their impact on zirconia's mechanical properties. It provides a brief explanation of the computer-aided design and computer-aided manufacturing process for fabricating zirconia restorations and explores the classification of zirconia variations. In Part 2, essential clinical aspects, such as tooth preparation and cementation techniques, specific to zirconia restorations are discussed. CPD/Clinical Relevance: This review offers dental professionals comprehensive insights into zirconia as a restorative material.