Are you considering zirconia teeth implants for your smile restoration but aren’t sure if they’re worth the investment?
You’re not alone. The sudden shift in implant dentistry, where the classic titanium implants got dethroned as the gold standard for dental implants, and got replaced by zirconia ones, has left everyone brimming with wonder and amazement. Even most surgeons now seem to recommend zirconia implants over metal ones.
What’s so special about Zirconia that has caused such a major shift, especially in cases of full mouth restorations? Is it just an industry trend or are these implants actually worth investing in the long term?
Read this blog to get useful insights on these questions so you may make your decision from a place of knowledge and not based on mere industry trends.
What Are Zirconia Implants?
Let’s start our conversation with a bit of context regarding dental implants in general and Zirconia implants in particular, tracing the path of how Zirconia implants achieved their current popularity.
Dental implants, as you might know already, are ‘artificial tooth roots’ that are used to supplement prosthetic teeth (like dentures, bridges and crowns), yielding a ‘permanent’ restoration to missing teeth in completely and partially edentulous patients.
These artificial roots are actually screw-shaped fixtures that are surgically ‘implanted’ into the jawbone (hence known as implants), serving as anchors to attach and hold artificial teeth securely in place.
From Titanium To Zirconia: The Shift Explained
Implants marked a revolution in the field of restorative dentistry and have been in clinical use since the 1960s. From that time, countless experiments were performed to devise an ideal material for implants (one that’d naturally bond with the surrounding jawbone and be sturdy enough to hold the prosthesis for several years, if not forever).
Several metals and alloys were tested for this purpose, but Titanium won the match. It ticked all the boxes – durability, strength, biocompatibility – everything!
Titanium implants were then used heavily in clinical settings to the point where they became the gold standard until their shortcomings became apparent – their metallic appearance posed a huge barrier to the aesthetics that people demand in the modern world. People with gum recession started experiencing issues with implant exposure (the metallic posts started showing through the gums), which was highly unattractive.
Moreover, titanium implants were simply not the best option for people with inherent metal allergies.
Hence, a more aesthetically pleasing and health-friendly material was called for – and Zirconia proved to be exactly that!
It’s a ceramic-based material with a smooth texture and chalky white colour (very similar to natural tooth colour). Hence, it provides a perfect alternative to zirconia implants for people looking for a more aesthetic option.
Although Zirconia was already in use for the preparation of dental prostheses (such as crowns, bridges and dentures), the addition of zirconia implants to complement these prostheses allowed for a truly uniform appearance, blending the entire restoration seamlessly into a single whole.
The Benefits Of Zirconia Implants
Now you know how Zirconia implants completely transformed the aesthetic value of restorations, you might be inclined to know more about them.
Contrary to what a layperson would assume, good appearance is not all that Zirconia implants offer; they’re so much more than that! They provide a host of additional benefits, including:
Excellent Biocompatibility
Zirconia has high biocompatibility, which means zirconia implants are extremely safe to be placed in the jawbone and won’t trigger a harmful reaction (immune or otherwise, which most patients are afraid of).
This is because Zirconia has the natural ability to integrate with the jawbone cells (via a process called osseointegration), forming a strong connection with it without the body perceiving it as a foreign object.
Non Allergenic Nature
Being non-allergenic, Zirconia is a healthier alternative for people who are sensitive/allergic to metals like Titanium. This quality further strengthens the biocompatibility aspect of zirconia implants.
Resistance To Plaque
Do you feel irked by bad breath, gum disease and all such dental issues (which, by the way, are still applicable to people who have artificial teeth or implants) and want to shield your new smile from them?
Zirconia implants will be your shield! They resist plaque (a sticky white substance made of food debris and bacteria, which is actually the root cause of the issues mentioned above).
Since Zirconia has a super smooth surface and texture, it fights plaque accumulation and so helps implants steer clear from the threats imposed by the bacteria present in it.
The results? Healthier gums, fresher breath, and happy smiles!
Corrosion Resistance
Zirconia’s corrosion resistance is another quality attributed to the non-metallic nature of Zirconia. Ceramics are known for their highly stable chemical composition, and Zirconia (zirconium dioxide) perfectly exemplifies this!
Even though implants are continuously exposed to several corroding agents in the oral environment (such as moisture, acids and oxygen), they still don’t corrode because of their chemical inertness.
It’s also pretty resistant to the varying pH levels of the mouth, conserving its structural integrity in all situations.
Durability
It’s simply not possible for implant scientists to ignore durability when selecting an ideal material for implants, which means Zirconia is a winner in this aspect too!
We’ll be honest here: Zirconia doesn’t surpass the durability levels of Titanium (because it’s not a metal and hence can’t be expected to have the rock-solid strength exhibited by metals).
However, that doesn’t imply a weakness on the part of Zirconia by any means – zirconia implants are durable enough to retain their place in the harsh oral environment for years on end, with an average implant lasting anywhere from 10-20 years!
Are Zirconia Implants Worth It?
Considering the above-mentioned benefits, it’s pretty evident that Zirconia implants are worth it.
They’re a complete package of supreme aesthetics, health-friendliness and durability – which is everything that you might want from a permanent dental restoration!
Even though these qualities come at a slightly higher price as compared to titanium implants, it’s still a worthwhile investment if you look at it from a long-term perspective.
Conclusion
If you’re looking to invest in something that’ll restore your teeth for years in a healthy manner without compromising on your smile’s aesthetics, then getting zirconia implants is your best bet!
For more insights about zirconia implants, schedule a FREE consultation with Manhattan Smile Clinic, a premium dental practice located in Manhattan, Manhattan. Talk to our team of implant experts and chart your path towards a beautiful and healthy smile!
