Titanium Dental Implants
Thousands of adults in the United States are investing in dental implants each year. That is because dental implants are an ideal tooth replacement treatment solution. What makes dental implants unique is that they are designed to provide the stability and security that other tooth replacement solutions do not. If you are considering investing in dental implants, you may be weighing the numerous choices you need to make, including what implant system is right for you and if you want titanium or zirconia implants. Below is a bit more information on the implant options available.
What are Dental Implants?
Dental implants are metal or ceramic posts that are surgically placed in the jawbone. This post is designed to act like the root of the new artificial tooth. A several month healing period is required after the implant surgery to allow time for the implant to fuse with the jawbone. Once the implant is securely fused into the jawbone, an artificial crown can be attached to the top. The total implant treatment process takes several months up to a year.
Why Titanium?
Of the types of dental implants available, titanium implants are the most popular. Here are few reasons why titanium implants are preferred over the other types:
- Biocompatible: The body responds well to titanium, which is critical during the important healing and fusing process. Additionally, titanium is nontoxic and has shown to have no harmful effects on the body.
- Minimal Corrosion: Titanium is a corrosion-resistant alloy, meaning that titanium implants do not breakdown overtime and water and chemicals don’t cause the implant to degrade.
- Durability: Titanium is an incredibly strong material that is lighter and stronger than steel. Due to this strength, titanium implants can last for 30 years or more.
Titanium vs. Zirconia Implants
A new popular alternative to titanium implants is Zirconia implants. Some recent studies show that zirconia implants have a success rate that is comparable to titanium implants. Deciding if titanium or zirconia implants are right for you is a decision you should make with the help of your dentist. Most dentists prefer titanium implants, due to their biocompatibility and their 95% or higher success rate. However, some individuals have allergies or sensitivity to metals used in the titanium implants. For these patients, zirconia implants may be the best choice. Here are some of the factors to consider when deciding between titanium and zirconia dental implants:
- Long-term evidence: Years of research support the long-term success of titanium implants. Evidence on zirconia implants is much more limited, although a few studies suggest a similar effectiveness, less is known about the long-term success of zirconia implants. Overall, titanium implants can be counted on to be reliable.
- Versatility: Titanium implants can be made as either one or two-piece systems, while zirconia implants are currently only made as a single piece system. One piece implants systems can make implant restorations a bit more challenging. With many options to choose from, titanium implants are generally more versatile and offer a more adaptable approach to treatment.