Ceramic vs Titanium Dental Implants
Bellevue, WA
 Having a tooth restored with a dental implant is a fabulous way to rebuild and improve your bite. Tooth implants have changed dentistry for the better allowing patients the freedom to continue their regular diet and keep their bone robust and healthy. The standard dental implant is made using a titanium metal, but with increasing options we are also able to provide patients the option of using ceramic material. Our dental team at A Smiling Heart Dentistry is happy to consult with you on the options we have available and help you decide which material is best for you. We can help you have a reason to smile.
What are Dental Implants?
A dental implant, or tooth implant, is a device that we use to recreate a tooth root following the loss of a natural tooth. Today, dental implants come with a wide variety of options in width, length, material and what they can be used for. Patients can use an implant to secure a number of prosthetics including a dental crown, bridge, or denture. Finding the right implant is important to both your immediate needs and your future needs. Working with our staff, we can help you make those decisions following an exam and digital x-ray images.
Titanium Implants
Titanium is the material used in the standard implant. It took decades of research for scientists to arrive at this material option. Over years of research, scientists have found and discussed the attempts at implants and bone repair found in human remains, some dating back many thousands of years. Bone repair was not a new concept. Scientists observed tooth replacement with shell, bamboo, rock, and other metals. They first began testing other metals around the turn of the twentieth century. Titanium was found to be the superior choice because it was biocompatible, light in weight and very strong.
Titanium implants now have decades of data to show how well restorations do. Our body is willing to heal around the metal in a process known as osseointegration. This natural healing incorporates and fuses with the metal for a firm hold. Titanium is a great option for many people, but we understand that it may not be right for everyone.
When metal is not the right choice for you, we can provide a non-metal implant option. Zirconium oxide contains metal atoms, but it is a non-reactive material and is classified as metal free. Zirconia implants are a ceramic material that comes in a white coloring. Some patients may choose zirconia because it is metal free, and some patients may choose it because of its light coloring in fear of the dark metal showing through their gum tissue. Whatever the reason, zirconia is a great option for dental implants with high rates of success reported since beginning its use.
Zirconia implants are biocompatible, meaning your body is willing to incorporate it. They may also be a healthier option, there has been some demonstration that plaque and tartar are less able to adhere around the material. The difference is, though zirconia is strong and durable, they are not as strong as titanium and are subject to breakage.
Learn More About Dental Implants
Contact Us
Our staff at A Smiling Heart Dentistry is here to discuss your options and find the right treatment and material for you. For more information, contact our Bellevue office at (425) 558-9998.
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