Zirconia Implants, what are they?
When you lose a tooth, you need a dental implant to replace it. But, the material of that implant is important. Zirconia implants are a new and exciting technology to replace lost teeth. Yet, not many patients and dentists think of zirconia as a dental implant material. Here’s why you should choose zirconia to get the best results from your dental implant treatment.
What Are Zirconia Implants?
Zirconia, also known as zirconium dioxide is a material chemically derived from zircon. It consists of Zirconium and Oxygen elements. While zirconium is a metal, due to the oxidation, zirconia is a ceramic material. Thanks to its transitional metal status, zirconia combines the strength of metal with the heat-resistant power of ceramic.
Zirconia is an ideal material for dental implants. It’s bioinert, which means that it will never trigger chemical reactions, migrate to other sites in the body or corrode. That’s why it’s the non-metal alternative to titanium. Its naturally white color also makes it a great choice for patients.
Zirconia vs. Titanium Implants: Which Is Better?
The most commonly used dental implant material today is titanium. Dentists have used titanium since the ’60s. These medical devices have a 90+ % success rate So, why do we need an alternative?
While titanium is more popular among dental practices, it doesn’t mean that it’s better. Zirconia implants are innovative. They have unique properties that titanium ones don’t. And since the color is white, zirconia implants look better in your smile as well.
There’s a big debate about using titanium vs. ceramic dental implants. Ultimately, it comes down to what the patient prefers, and the dentist recommends. But zirconia implants certainly have their advantages.
Benefits of Zirconia Dental Implants
Most of the benefits of zirconia implants come from the material’s properties. Metal has some potentially harmful properties that ceramic simply doesn’t.