Exploring the World of Dental Implants: Materials & Options
Almost all dental implants were made of a single material known as titanium in the past years. However, with the advancement of technology, many dental implants are now manufactured from various dental implant materials. An extensive study has been conducted on these materials, focusing on the physical and chemical qualities that affect their clinical applications. An implant’s microstructure and surface composition are examples of such features. Dental implant materials should ideally be biocompatible. They should also be corrosion and fracture resistant.
Dental implant materials can be made from titanium or zirconium. Regardless of the dental implant materials, they must be robust and durable. In addition, the physical property must be suitable to the dental implant materials’ strength and design.
What Exactly Are Dental Implants?
Dental implants replace missing teeth and are composed of three parts:
The crown is the component of the implant that looks like your tooth. They are usually constructed of ceramic material and are intended to match your natural teeth.
Connector: Also known as an abutment, the connector attaches the implant's crown to the base and is often hexagonal or octagonal.
Base: A titanium screw integrates with your native bone to offer your implant a safe, solid foundation.
What are the common materials used for dental implants?
The following are the most prevalent dental implant materials utilized in the fabrication of dental implants today.
Titanium dental implants - Titanium is the most prevalent form of dental implant material because it is metal. Its most notable feature was discovered in 1950. During this time, research has revealed that titanium metal implants allow the bone to develop normally. Therefore, if implants in the bone are not disturbed, the bone will grow close to the implants.
Titanium dental implant materials have been the most popular since their discovery. It produces long-lasting results at a reasonable cost. It is still considered one of the best dental implant materials.
Zirconia dental implant materials - Unlike titanium, zirconia is a relatively new material. It is thought to have the brightest potential of any dental implant material. In the early 1990s, zirconia dental implant materials were used for a complete abutment. However, titanium implant materials were still popular at the time. Zirconia dental implant materials have been increasing in popularity in recent times.
What distinguishes some dental implant materials from others?
As previously stated, the two most common dental implant materials are titanium and zirconia. However, each of these two dental implant materials has distinct characteristics.
Titanium, for example, has been studied and found to have a high success rate in both medical and dental operations. Its flexibility distinguishes it from zirconia. Titanium has long been the metal of choice for all bone and plate implants. Millions of patients have benefited from titanium.
The following is why titanium continues to outperform zirconia as the most efficient dental implant material.
Titanium dental implant materials and designs are available in a two-piece dental system. This separate abutment sits on top of the implant and connects to the replacement tooth. The other is a surgically placed post in the bone. This is not a capacity of zirconia. Instead, it is made in a single-piece dental implant system.
As titanium is biocompatible, it is the most outstanding dental implant material. This indicates that it closely matches the human body tissues. It is also capable of fusing with human bone.
The two-piece technique enables a personalized implant that addresses low bone density. So even if you have bone loss, you can still have a charming smile.
The zirconia dental implants, on the other hand, incorporate both the post and the abutment into a single unit. This alleviates concern about germs hiding and wreaking havoc on the gums. Unfortunately, zirconia dental implant materials and ceramic designs are still underappreciated despite this benefit. This is because it has not been around for very long. As a result, it has yet to be tested, unlike titanium dental implant materials.
What are the Differences Between Titanium Dental Implants and Zirconium Dental Implants?
Both titanium and zirconia dental implant screws provide patients with a durable and dependable tooth replacement option.
The critical distinctions between the two materials are their look, how they are employed in the implant technique, and how long each has been used in implants.
Zirconia implants are often white, whereas titanium implants are silver or metal colored. So, aesthetic superiority is more for zirconia dental implants.
Aside from aesthetic differences, zirconia dental implants are installed differently from titanium ones. The titanium implant post is typically put in one treatment, and the abutment is added afterward. The post and abutment of zirconia dental implants are usually built in one piece and embedded in a single process. This provides the dentist less flexibility in altering the angle of the implant placement in some circumstances.
Could both materials be utilized to make a whole set of new teeth?
Titanium implants are the superior option for replacing an entire arch or set of teeth. Because titanium implants are constructed in two pieces, a dentist has more leeway in adjusting the abutment angle. This means that the appearance of the smile line and bite alignment will be more natural. Conversely, angulation is far more difficult to alter with single-piece Zirconia implants since the abutment is stationary and does not enable the dentist to tailor the position.
Do you have any further questions about oral health and dental implants?
If you have any further questions about oral health and dental implants, you can schedule a consultation with Dr. Adatrow. Dr. Adatrow has more than 20 years of experience in placing dental implants, with a success rate of over 97%, and can provide you with the best possible dental treatment. He is a Board-Certified Prosthodontist and Periodontist in Hernando, MS region. Please get in touch with our office for your consultation now!