Benefits of Zirconia Implants
Biocompatible
Zirconia is biocompatible, so the body’s immune system is less likely to react to it. Zirconia is also metal-free, so patients with metal allergies can benefit from choosing this material.
Excellent Aesthetics
As a type of ceramic, zirconia dental implants are white, making them less noticeable than traditional titanium implants. This can be especially important when patients have receding gum tissue or when replacing a front tooth.
Low Affinity for Bacteria
Zirconia implants have a low affinity for bacteria, which can help maintain your dental implants and the surrounding tissue. Because bacterial biofilm may accumulate less on zirconia implants, patients with these implants are at lower risk for infection and inflammation when compared to patients with titanium implants.
Same-Day Services
Zirconia dental implants are often easier to handle than titanium implants, which sometimes allows us to place a temporary crown immediately after dental implant placement.
What Are Dental Implants?
Implants are small posts that replace the root of a tooth in your jawbone. Using abutments, dental implants can support restorative dentistry like dentures, crowns, and bridges. Implants are the only dental solution that can prevent jawbone atrophy after tooth loss, helping to maintain the shape and density of your jaw.
While implants are typically made from titanium, our office is proud to offer dental implants made from zirconia, as well.
Why Make Implants From Zirconia?
Zirconia is a durable, biocompatible ceramic. It is the strongest form of pure ceramic that can withstand bite force, making it an optimal material for dental solutions like implants. Though our oral surgeons may not recommend zirconia implants for everyone, they are often a good alternative for patients who don’t qualify for titanium implants.
Implants made from zirconia can last for decades or longer when cared for properly, just like traditional titanium implants.
Our Implant of Choice
Our office in Santa Fe, NM, offers NobelPearl™ zirconia implants, a revolutionary two-piece implant that offers benefits not available with other ceramic implants. The NobelPearl two-piece zirconia implants and abutments provide greater flexibility and allow for a strong connection between the parts, so you can rest assured that your ceramic implant and replacement tooth fit together securely.
Does the Implant Material Matter?
The material used to create a dental implant can have a significant impact on your treatment. The choice is important because it can affect factors such as:
Allergies
Metal allergies can act as a major barrier that prevents patients from receiving the dental implants and replacement teeth they want. Since most dental implants use titanium, those patients can have limited choices for alternative treatments. Metal-free ceramic implants are not as common, but they can allow some patients to receive dental implants and implant-supported restorations.
Cost
The cost of dental implants can account for a significant portion of the overall cost of treatment. While zirconia is durable, it also tends to be more brittle than traditional metals used in other implants. As a result, the manufacturing process for high-quality zirconia dental implants can be more difficult and lead to a higher cost compared to titanium implants.
Results
The most important step of the implant procedure is osseointegration, the process in which the implant fuses to the surrounding bone and becomes part of your anatomy. Titanium and zirconia can both integrate successfully with your jawbone, but each patient is different. If titanium has not worked well in the past for a patient, zirconia can be the alternative they need to achieve success.
Zirconia and titanium implants have different benefits and drawbacks, but our dentists can determine which implant type will be a better option for you during your consultation.
The body treats a successful dental implant like your natural tooth roots and sends essential nutrients to the surrounding bone tissue. These resources preserve your jawbone and keep it from deteriorating over time.
Why Choose Us for Your Zirconia Implants?
Advanced Technology
Our digital impressions and scanner technology allow our dentists to create an accurate 3D model of your teeth and gums within minutes, plan your procedure with precision, and place your zirconia dental implants.
Sedation Options
Our practice in Santa Fe, NM, can combine sedation options with local anesthesia. That means you can have a virtually painless experience while receiving your zirconia implants.
No Waiting Period
For some patients, we can place zirconia dental implants and attach replacement teeth in the same day to eliminate the typical waiting period between these two steps.
Implant-Supported Restorations
Once you receive a titanium or zirconia implant at our office serving patients throughout Santa Fe, Las Vegas, Española, and beyond, you can replace missing teeth by connecting the abutment to an implant-supported restoration such as:
Dental Crown
A dental implant can support a crown to completely replace a single tooth, from root to crown.
Dental Bridge
This dentistry solution can replace up to three consecutive teeth.
Denture
Dentures can replace multiple teeth at a time, even an entire arch of missing teeth.
Interested in a New Generation of Implants?
Request a Consultation for Zirconia Implants
If an allergy or other condition has prevented you from receiving titanium implants in the past, then zirconia may be the dental solution you’re looking for. Our dentists Sean M. Healy and Diego Hurtado have restored many patients’ smiles using zirconia implants and implant-supported restorations.
We can look over your medical history and discuss the pros and cons of titanium and ceramic implants during a consultation to find out which option is best for you.
You can ask us about zirconia implants during a consultation or submit your questions directly to us. To request a consultation, call our Santa Fe office.
