With dental implants becoming increasingly popular, it’s important to know what options are available in case you ever need one. Titanium implants have been the traditional type used because titanium is able to fuse well with the human jawbone. Titanium is also used for joint replacements such as knees and hips. But with advances in technology, new materials have come into play, such as zirconia. Here’s a look at both zirconia and titanium implants and some key factors you should consider when discussing your options with your dentist

Zirconia Implants

  •   Zirconia is highly compatible with human tissues.
  •   Zirconia implants have low bacterial attraction.
  •   They have high strength and decent fracture resistance.
  •   They hold up against wear and corrosion relatively well.
  •   Because the material can be easily colored to match the patient’s natural tooth, they have excellent aesthetics, which can be especially crucial when replacing a front tooth
  •   They are considered inert and biocompatible.
  •   First created in 1975, they have been used in dental implants in Europe since 1987 and gained FDA approval in 2007.

 Titanium Implants

  •   The modern day titanium implant was first placed in 1965.
  •   The failure rate of titanium implants is thought to be lower than that of zirconia implants.
  •   These implants have high resistance to corrosion in the mouth and good biocompatibility with the bone and gum tissues.
  •   Although it is rare, a titanium implant may fail if the patient has an allergic reaction to the metal. Patients who have a history of allergies should receive a metal allergy assessment before placement of a permanent implant.
  •   For patients with certain autoimmune conditions — such as rheumatoid arthritis, Crohn’s disease or diabetes — metal ions released from the implant can cause local inflammation and irritation, according to an article by the International Academy of Oral Medicine and Toxicology.
  •   If the tissue around the implant is thin, the dark metal may show through, resulting in poor aesthetics.

Choosing the right implant material for you is an important and individualized decision. Please reach out to the office with any questions or concerns you may have.

Bridges

A traditional bridge is a false tooth (abutment) splinted by crowns to the adjacent teeth. The unit is cemented onto your natural teeth. A Carlson/Maryland/Composite bridge is when a false tooth is glued on to the sides of the adjacent teeth. Thus, minimal tooth structure is lost.

Read more about Dental Bridge Options