Objective To investigate the effect of novel ultra-translucent gradient zirconia restoration on aesthetic effect and inffammatory factor levels in gingival crevicular ffuid of patients with tooth defect. Methods A total of 80 patients with tooth defect treated at Nanjing Yuhua Yameimei Dental Clinic from February 2022 to February 2025 were selected, and they were divided into the reference group (n=40) and the experimental group (n=40) by the random number table method. The reference group received porcelain-fused-to-metal restoration, and the experimental group received novel ultra-translucent gradient zirconia restoration. The periodontal health indicators, masticatory efffciency, bite force, aesthetic effect and inffammatory factor levels in gingival crevicular ffuid were compared between the two groups. Results At 6 months after restoration, the PD, PLI and BI in the experimental group were lower than those in the reference group (P<0.05). At 6 months after restoration, the masticatory efffciency and bite force of the experimental group were higher than those of the reference group (P<0.05). At 6 months after restoration, the scores of all dimensions of aesthetic effect in the experimental group were higher than those in the reference group (P<0.05). At 6 months after restoration, the levels of inffammatory factors in gingival crevicular ffuid of the experimental group were lower than those of the reference group (P<0.05). Conclusion For patients with tooth defect, novel ultra-translucent gradient zirconia restoration can effectively improve periodontal health indicators, improve masticatory efffciency and bite force, reduce inffammatory factor levels in gingival crevicular ffuid, and achieve favorable aesthetic effect.