When looking to replace a missing tooth or teeth there are several factors to consider. Due to an increased awareness of holistic medicine and concern about putting anything synthetic into our bodies, we’ve noticed that more and more patients are asking us “what are teeth implants made of?”
The quick and easy answer is titanium, which is commonly used by dentists all over the world. However, there is another contender and that’s zirconia.
Getting dental implants is a big step for most patients looking to improve both their smile and their oral health, so we understand that they want to do the best thing for their bodies. In this article, we’re going to be answering many of the questions that you may have about titanium dental implants while comparing them to zirconia implants. Hopefully, this will steer you in the right direction when it comes to deciding what is right for you and your body.
What are teeth implants made of?
Let’s start by talking about titanium dental implants since this is the material of choice offered by most dentists.
About titanium dental implants
Titanium is a metal that’s lightweight, strong, corrosion-resistant, and non-toxic. It’s been used in the dental industry for decades since Professor Per-Ingvar Branemark accidentally discovered that titanium bonded naturally to the bone in the 1950s. Besides dentistry, it’s also commonly and successfully used in knee and hip replacements.
Through decades of testing, titanium dental implants have developed impressive success rates of around 95% and some patients have been known to have had their dental implants for longer than 30 years.
Alternatively, because zirconia is a relatively recent addition to dental implants, long term clinical testing is lacking when it comes to the measure of long-term success. Although, it has to be said that early clinical testing has shown promise.
Perhaps a greater hindrance to zirconia-based implants is that until fairly recently, most dentists only had the option of a single piece zirconia dental implant, although more recently 2- piece zirconia implants have become available. But while the latter gives dentists more freedom over placement, they have less experience with them.
What is a Zirconia dental implant?
A zirconia dental implant, similar to a titanium implant, acts as an artificial tooth root and is topped with a dental crown. The crown or replacement tooth is attached to the implant with an abutment. Zirconia is a relative newcomer in the Australian implant field having been TGA approved in 2018, although it has been in use in Europe since the 1980s.
Both zirconia and titanium are both bio-compatible materials meaning that they are rarely rejected by the human body. As such, this enables bone to grow around the implant materials in the same way as it does with natural tooth roots.
Is a Zirconia dental implant metal-free?
Zirconia is likened to diamonds. It’s a crystal material that is slightly altered when used in implant dentistry to give it a tooth colour. Zirconia is a white crystal oxide of the metal zirconium and is also referred to as ceramic, so technically it can be referred to as being metal-free. Since concerns were raised over the safety of mercury used in dental fillings, some patients prefer to keep any kind of metal out of their mouths entirely.
Can a person actually be allergic to their dental implants?
It’s extremely rare for patients to be allergic to titanium and so far, there is no evidence of any patient being allergic to zirconia.
Titanium dental implants are normally made from titanium alloy which combines a few metals in small amounts including nickel, aluminium, and vanadium. With the few people that have been allergic to titanium, it’s been found that it was the nickel in the titanium alloy that caused their allergy. Patients with a history of allergies towards metal are always urged to take a test prior to going ahead with receiving a titanium dental implant.
Are both titanium and zirconia safe materials to be placed in the jawbone?
Both titanium and zirconia are biocompatible, TGA approved and considered safe to be placed into the jawbone. They interact well with the human body and are non-toxic. While small traces of the titanium alloy may enter the bloodstream it has not been shown to have any adverse effects (the only exception being if a patient is allergic to nickel). Zirconia is hypoallergenic and does not enter the bloodstream.
Whichever material is used when receiving dental implants, the risk of gum infection is increased until the site heals. Some argue that 2-piece implants are more likely to harbour bacteria while 1-piece implants require dental cement that can also attract bacteria – so neither option is safe from developing plaque.
Can both materials be used for a full set of replacement teeth?
Both titanium and zirconia can be used to replace a full arch or set of teeth provided 2-piece zirconia implants are used.
These enable the dentist to make small alterations to the angle of the abutment which isn’t possible with a 1-piece implant.
This means the smile line and alignment of the bite will feel and look more natural.
So now you know exactly what teeth implants are made of, the question is… which material is best for your dental implants?
It’s always wise to seek professional advice from your dentist before making a decision since both materials have their pros and cons. Here at No Gaps Dental, we recommend titanium dental implants to our patients for the simple reason that they have served the medical and dental industry well for many decades and are clinically proven to be safe and reliable. Although zirconia implants are promising, they have not undergone the years of testing and scientific studies that titanium implants have.
If you’d like to know more about titanium dental implants and whether they are a suitable treatment option, schedule a consultation today with a No Gaps Dental clinic near you. We provide high quality implants at affordable prices, without compromise.
Note: Any surgical or invasive procedure carries risks.