What a zirconia crown is and who it may suit
A crown, or cap, is a fixed covering that fits over the whole visible part of a tooth. It restores the tooth's shape and strength. Zirconia crowns are made from zirconium oxide. This is a white, high-strength ceramic that is usually designed digitally, milled, then fired and shaded to match the neighbouring teeth as closely as possible. People sometimes call them "zircon teeth". The same material is also used for bridges, which replace a missing tooth by anchoring to the teeth on either side.
Zirconia is not one single material. Some grades are more translucent and are used on front teeth. Others are stronger and more opaque and are used for back molars that take heavy chewing forces. Some crowns have a zirconia core with a layer of cosmetic porcelain on top. These are the other common options:
- Metal-ceramic (porcelain fused to metal): a metal base covered with porcelain. It is strong and has been used for a long time. A dark line can show at the gum edge if the gum recedes over the years.
- Glass ceramic (lithium disilicate family): good colour matching and natural translucency. It is often chosen for front teeth where appearance matters most.
- Layered zirconia: combines a strong core with a more natural-looking surface. The outer porcelain layer can chip.
- Monolithic (solid) zirconia: very strong and suited to back teeth, though it can look less lifelike than layered options.
A crown is usually considered when a tooth is too damaged for a filling alone. Common reasons include:
- a large filling that keeps breaking
- a cracked or fractured tooth
- a back tooth after root canal treatment
- heavy wear
- a tooth that sits on a dental implant
Which material suits you, and whether you need a crown at all, can only be decided after an examination.
Signs that call for an examination, and when it is urgent
Book a dental check if you notice any of these:
- pain when biting or chewing on one tooth
- a visible crack, or a piece of tooth or filling breaking off
- sensitivity to hot or cold that lingers
- an existing crown that feels loose, has come off, or has a dark or rough edge at the gum
- food repeatedly getting trapped around a crown, or gum bleeding around it
If a crown comes off, keep it clean and bring it with you. Do not glue it back yourself with household adhesive.
Some signs need urgent care rather than a routine appointment:
- facial or neck swelling that is spreading
- difficulty breathing or swallowing
- high fever with dental pain
In these cases, go to an emergency department or call 911 in Jordan.
How the steps usually go, from examination to follow-up
The outline below is general information from the ClinicsJo service catalogue, not from the clinic's own record. Each clinic and each case can differ.
- Examination, diagnosis and shade planning. The dentist checks the tooth, the gums and your bite, usually with X-rays. The shade is chosen to match your neighbouring teeth. If you plan to whiten your teeth, it is usually done before the shade is chosen, because crowns do not change colour with whitening.
- Treating the cause first. Decay, gum inflammation or an infected nerve is treated before preparation. This can mean a filling, root canal treatment or gum care.
- Preparation, impression and temporary crown. The tooth is usually numbed with local anaesthetic and reshaped to make room for the crown. An impression or digital scan is then taken, and a temporary crown protects the tooth while the final one is made.
- Fabrication and try-in. The crown is made and then tried in the mouth to check its fit, colour, contact with the neighbouring teeth and bite.
- Final cementation and bite adjustment. The crown is fixed in place, and the bite is fine-tuned so the tooth does not hit first when you close.
The catalogue describes this as typically two to three visits over one to three weeks. It gives about 60 to 90 minutes for the first visit and 30 to 45 minutes for fitting. Your own plan may be shorter or longer. A follow-up check after fitting is sensible, followed by your regular dental check-ups.
What Arafat Dental Clinics publishes about this service in Tabarbour
This section uses only what appears in the clinic's and the dentist's records on ClinicsJo.
The clinic
- Arafat Dental Clinics is in Tabarbour, Amman, at Al Tamimi Complex, first floor, Journalists Roundabout (دوار الصحفيين ، مجمع التميمي ط1).
- The record lists the clinic as established in 2022 and verified by the platform.
- It describes preventive, restorative and cosmetic care. The listed services include examinations, cleaning, restorations, whitening, veneers, zirconia and porcelain work, implants and clear aligners. The record says treatment options are discussed according to examination findings and patient needs.
- For zirconia crowns in Tabarbour, the clinic lists:
- Zircon Teeth
- Zirconium Crowns for Teeth
- Dental Crowns
- Caps
- Installation Of Fixed Teeth
- The record shows 120 published services in total.
- The clinic record shows 2 approved reviews with an average rating of 5. That is a small number of reviews, so it is best read alongside your own consultation.
The dentist
- Dr. Mohammad Arafat Hasan has 15 years of experience, according to his record.
- He holds a bachelor's degree in oral and dental medicine and surgery from Damascus University.
- His biography mentions dental practice in Jordan and Saudi Arabia.
- His record lists these later courses:
- an Advanced Implantology Course with the International Congress of Oral Implantologists (2018)
- a Clear Aligners (Invisalign) Certification from Align Technology Academy (2020)
- Microscope-Assisted Endodontics with the Jordanian Academy of Dentistry (2022)
- Among the services he provides are dental prosthetics, cosmetic dentistry, fillings, root canal treatment and dental X-rays.
- The conditions he treats include broken teeth, missing teeth and the need for crowns and bridges.
- He speaks Arabic and English.
- His record shows 3 approved reviews with an average rating of 5, and he is verified by the platform.
- The record lists the first consultation as free.
The clinic's team also includes Dr Alaa Fayez Hasan.
Questions to ask the dentist before starting
- Does this tooth really need a crown, or would a filling or onlay be enough?
- Does anything need treating first, such as decay, the nerve or the gums?
- Which type of zirconia, or which other material, do you suggest for this tooth, and why? This matters especially for a front tooth compared with a molar.
- Will the crown be monolithic or layered, and what are the trade-offs for appearance and chipping?
- How much tooth will be removed during preparation?
- Will you take a digital scan or a conventional impression, and how long will I wear the temporary crown?
- Should I whiten my teeth before the shade is chosen?
- What happens if the fit, colour or bite feels wrong after cementation?
- How many visits will I need, and what is the full cost of the plan? The cost depends on the examination and plan, so ask before starting.
Aftercare and realistic expectations
Some sensitivity or gum tenderness after preparation and fitting is common and usually settles. Tell the dentist if pain persists or worsens, or if your bite feels high.
To look after your crown:
- Brush twice a day with fluoride toothpaste.
- Clean between your teeth daily with floss or interdental brushes. The edge where the crown meets the tooth can still decay.
- Avoid biting ice, nutshells or hard objects.
- Ask about a night guard if you grind your teeth.
- Keep up regular check-ups so the crown margins and gums can be monitored.
A crown is strong but not indestructible. It can chip, loosen or need replacing over time, and the tooth underneath remains a natural tooth that needs care. How long a crown lasts varies from person to person, and no one can guarantee a particular result.
Booking, getting there and opening hours
Arafat Dental Clinics is in Al Tamimi Complex, first floor, at Journalists Roundabout in Tabarbour, Amman. Use the contact button on this page to book or ask a question.
Confirmed opening hours are Saturday to Thursday, 10:00–22:00. Friday is not listed among the confirmed hours, so check before planning a Friday visit.
When you go, bring any recent dental X-rays and a list of the medicines you take. If you are pregnant or have a medical condition, tell the dentist at the start.