A lot has changed with cosmetic tooth implants over the years. The approach dates back nearly 4000 years ago, but the first-ever implant as we know them today was installed in a patient’s jaw in 1965. And from there, modern technology has continued innovating to help us create tooth implants that are made of quality materials and last a long time. Implants keep patients’ jawbones from starting the resorption (degradation) process, and they can also do a great deal of good for someone’s self-image. All in all, they’re simple but incredibly effective tooth replacement options.
Titanium is definitely the industry standard when it comes to dental implants. Titanium is a pretty cool metal – it’s extremely biocompatible, it’s virtually indestructible, and your bone is completely fine with growing and fusing around it. Pretty cool, right? Well, there’s a newer type of dental implant on the market: zirconia dental implants (sometimes mistakenly referred to as zirconium dental implants). They’re ceramic, and they’re taking holistic tooth replacement to a new level.
Dental implants made out of zirconia are taking the dental world by storm for a number of reasons… but are they right for everyone? After all, long-lasting titanium tooth replacements have been the gold standard for a long time for a reason.
Let’s throw around some quick pros and cons of zirconia dental implants so that when you talk to your oral surgeon about your dental implant procedure, you’ll know the right types of questions to ask them about your upcoming tooth replacement.
Advantages of Zirconia Dental Implants
High-grade zirconia tooth implants are popular because they manage to do a lot of things that titanium doesn’t. Zirconia is a white ceramic material, and it has a reputation for matching the natural white smile of real teeth exceedingly well. If you’re thinking “wouldn’t ceramic crack a whole lot easier than titanium?”, you wouldn’t be entirely wrong. However, zirconia makes for durable dental implants that hold up well. They’re still super resistant to fractures and wear just like their titanium counterparts. Here are a few of the other reasons it wouldn’t hurt to consider zirconia implants:
- Zirconia dental implants are not metal, making them a more holistic option and perfect for people with metal sensitivities or allergies.
- Zirconia is natural, so it’s an inert substance, allowing it to osseointegrate with the jaw as well or if not better than standard titanium dental implants.
- Zirconia dental implants are less vulnerable to plaque buildup than titanium.
- Aesthetically, there’s no danger of a dark ring at the gum line that can sometimes occur with titanium dental implants.
One of the biggest differences is the shining white color of zirconia and the fact that you won’t find a dark ring at the gumline. While aesthetics isn’t everything, one of the major reasons that patients seek effective tooth replacement solutions is because their confidence takes a plummet when they have missing teeth. It can affect your speech, how you chew, and how you see yourself. Zirconia offers the closest-to-natural look for implants.
Disadvantages of Zirconia Dental Implants
This isn’t to say zirconia dental implants are objectively better than their titanium counterparts. Just because they’re the hot new thing on the market doesn’t mean they’re going to be the best fit for every patient. For example, patients who are known teeth grinders might want a titanium implant since zirconia cracks and fractures easier. A tried-and-true metal tooth replacement is still an excellent option for most people. A good dental implant dentist will tell you the good and the bad:
- There are no long-term studies on two-piece zirconia dental implants that can ensure they stand up to time and use as long as titanium dental implants.
- Zirconia does poorly in low temperature and/or humid environments, and will slowly loosen over time with temperature degradation.
- Zirconia dental implants are more expensive.
- While zirconia is a strong material, it’s not as strong as titanium; there is a possibility of cracking a zirconia dental implant. In response to this, dental implant dentists install larger implants when they’re made of zirconia. That means there’s more of a chance you’ll need dental bone grafting to prep your mouth to take the implant.
These are just some of the things to think about when you’re speaking to your oral surgeon or dentist who specializes in cosmetic tooth replacements about your options for implants. Dental implants of either material are the gold standard when it comes to holistic tooth replacement; so whatever you choose, there really isn’t a wrong decision. Both implant options still give patients a beautiful smile, renewed confidence, and restored oral health. Consult with a qualified dental surgeon about tooth replacement options that are right for you.
