Combined with the excellent mechanical properties, chemical stability and white aesthetics, zirconia ceramics have been widely used in the teeth-related restorations in dentistry, such as crowns, bridges, abutments and more recently implants. However, the biosafety of zirconia ceramics has been jeopardized by the low-temperature degradation (LTD). LTD phenomenon occurs at low temperatures and humid environments, e.g. in human bodies, the strength of zirconia ceramics decreases rapidly in the short term, which leads to early failure. In this paper, the research on LTD phenomenon of zirconia ceramics by scholars from various countries in recent years was reviewed from the perspectives of characterization methods, influencing factors and degradation theoretical models, and the related research results were sorted out and summarized.