Most people are aware that dental implants are one of the most versatile forms of missing tooth replacement and one that can permanently restore a smile making it appear both natural and healthy.
What you may not know, however, is that when it comes to dental implant material there are several choices available. In this post, we’ll talk about the most common types of dental implant material and discuss which are best…
Common dental implant materials
Titanium
Ever since the dental implant first appeared in the mid-1950’s one material has been in constant use and that’s titanium. Titanium has the luxury of being incredibly lightweight and yet extremely durable. More importantly, this dental implant material is biocompatible with the human body, meaning that it won’t cause an allergic reaction when placed into the body.
The biggest advantage of titanium, however, is that bone tissue is attracted to it. So much so in fact that when placed directly into the jaw bone tissue will fuse with it over time creating a permanent affinity. This is vital to the success of the dental implants process and is what creates that super-strong foundation where a dental crown or bridge can then be attached.
Because titanium has all the above qualities and is pretty much indestructible, it remains one of the best and most proven dental implant materials to this day and is the primary material of choice for most of the major dental implant companies.
Zirconia
Unlike titanium, zirconia is the new kid on the block. It’s a relatively new material used in the production of dental implants coming into provenance in the mid-2000s. So unlike titanium zirconia hasn’t undergone years of clinical trialling. One thing that has been noted is that zirconia doesn’t perform well in low temperature or overly humid environments. When exposed to long periods of cold temperature, for example, this implant material can slowly change form causing it to lose strength.
That said, the biggest advantage of a zirconia dental implant is that it’s entirely metal-free so would suit patients with complex allergy patterns including those with severe metal allergies. Typically, zirconia implants contain both the post and abutment as one complete unit. This not only makes for a convenient patient experience but because it is a single unit, it’s thought that there is less chance of bacteria getting into the dental implant.
Like titanium, zirconia dental implants are biocompatible meaning that they are closely matched with the human body. However, they do have their disadvantages…
Long-term success
As a dental implant material, titanium implants have gone through many years of improvement and innovation. As such they have a proven long-term success rate of somewhere between 94-97%.
A zirconia dental implant, on the other hand, is yet to accumulate as much clinically based evidence and although the early signs are promising, there is some degree of concern over the survival rates of zirconia implants in the long term.
Strength and resistance
As a dental implant material, zirconia is more brittle than titanium so while it remains strong under normal bite compression, there is a greater possibility of fracture when the dental implant is placed under forces that cause flexing or bending.
Complex restorations
Those patients in need of more complex restorations may find their choice severely limiting when opting for zirconia dental implants. Unfortunately, and unlike titanium versions, zirconia implants lack the variety of component options needed to perform treatments like full mouth restorations – especially when it comes to angulation, purpose and size.
While zirconia dental implants have their advantages and disadvantages, one of the key questions we need to consider is…
…are zirconia Implants safe?
Zirconia dental implants are both non-corrosive and non-allergenic making them a safe and reliable option for those wanting an alternative to metal-based titanium implants.
Titanium vs Zirconia – Which dental implant is best?
Inevitably, it all boils down to the preference of the implant dentist and/or the preference or needs of the patient. If you prefer a dental implant material that has been tried and tested by millions of patients or you have complex restorative needs that may entail full mouth rehabilitation then you might want to consider titanium.
Alternatively, if you suffer from an acute metal allergy or simply don’t like the thought of having metal in the mouth then a zirconia dental implant can be a good alternative option in some cases.
At the end of the day, your implant dentist should talk you through your material options allowing you to make a fully informed decision about what is best for you.
Dental implants at No Gaps Dental
Here at No Gaps Dental, we provide 15 convenient locations spread throughout the Sydney Metro area for your convenience. To learn more about the materials used in the dental implant process, we encourage you to call a No Gaps dental clinic of your choice and book an appointment with a dental implant dentist near you.
We provide affordable treatments without compromising on quality and our experienced team are well-positioned to carry out the latest dental implant procedures resulting in safer and more comfortable treatments.
Need a dental implant dentist?
Take the first steps and schedule a consultation at any one of our modern clinics to see whether dental implants are right for you. Alternatively call today on (02) 8806 0227.
Note: Any surgical or invasive procedure carries risks.