Zirconia Dental Implants
Here at Edelweiss Dental Implant Center in Coppell, TX we want our patients to have a wide range of implant options to choose from because we realize that one solution doesn’t fit every problem. We know how hard it can be to lose teeth and the functionality that goes when they are lost. We offer zirconia implants to our patients because they solve for many issues that titanium does not.
What are Dental Implants?
Dental implants are a permanent tooth replacement option that can restore your ability to eat and speak as you did before tooth loss. Dental implants are surgically placed in your jaw bone and can last you a lifetime if you take proper care of them. They are made up of three different pieces – the post, abutment, and the restoration.
What is Zirconia?
Zirconia is a ceramic material that has many different dental and medical uses due to its extreme durability and aesthetics. Zirconia is white and therefore mimics the teeth quite well. It is strong, long lasting, and doesn’t break down over time due to corrosion like metals.
Is Zirconia Biocompatible?
Zirconia is biocompatible, but what does that mean? When we call something biocompatible, we are referring to whether or not it is accepted by the human body. Take wood, for example. When you handle wood and receive a splinter, your body will always react in the same way, by trying to expel the wood. The splinter site will become irritated and swollen, sometimes even infected. It does this because wood is not biocompatible. There are very few materials that are biocompatible, and even fewer that have useful applications in the medical and dental field.
How Long do Zirconia Implants Last?
Zirconia implants have the ability to last just as long as titanium dental implants as long as you take good care of your oral health and make sure to keep your examination schedule regular. Zirconia implants can last decades, even a lifetime in certain scenarios.
How Does Zirconia Compare to Titanium Implants?
Why would I choose zirconia implants over titanium dental implants? This is a common question among those who are looking to have dental implants placed. One of the big problems with titanium is that some people are allergic to it. While they are rare, titanium allergies would obviously make having a titanium dental implant impossible. In this case, zirconia is a great alternative.
One of the most popular reasons a patient might choose a zirconia implant over a titanium dental implant is the aesthetic value of zirconia. Because zirconia is white, and teeth are white, certain implant applications will end up looking better when zirconia is used. Situations where zirconia is often recommended, are when a patient has experienced significant periodontal issues that leave them with very little gum tissue. In these sorts of scenarios, zirconia implants will look a lot better than titanium implants.
If you have any questions about zirconia dental implants, please give us a call today at (972) 315-2345.