Dental implants have historically been made of titanium. With the interest in holistic medicine and concerns with metal sensitivities and allergies, patients are asking if there is an alternative. And there is: Zirconia.
A dental implant serves as an artificial tooth root. This ‘root’ comes in direct contact with your bone and tissue and some patients want options when it comes to the material being used. While titanium remains the industry standard, with a long-term medical success rate of 94-97%, zirconia implants provide a viable choice.
Zirconia implants are produced from zirconium oxide, a material that has the properties of a ceramic rather than a metal. You might be familiar with zirconia in its crystalline cubic form as it is often used to mimic diamonds in the jewelry industry. For dental use, trace amounts of other metals (hafnium and yttrium) remain to improve its stability and effectiveness in this application. So, while zirconia implants aren’t entirely metal-free, they are labelled as a ceramic.
Zirconia dental implants provide a choice for people who are concerned that they may be allergic to titanium. Although this risk is extremely rare, it’s comforting to know there is a titanium alternative. Zirconia is also an option for people who have concerns about introducing metal of any sort into their body. As well, zirconia implants are considered hypoallergenic, so sensitivity and allergy issues are effectively eliminated.
So while we don’t know the long-term success of zirconia implants, like we do with titanium ones, they may still be the right choice for you. Dr. Tymkiw is pleased to offer this choice and will discuss the pros and cons with you to help you make the best, informed decision.
