Implant Material Options
Ann Arbor MI
 Everwell Dentistry uses cutting-edge technology to make your smile healthier and more beautiful than ever before. This includes several options for your upcoming dental implant material. Over the years, there have been a lot of variations of dental implants, but most commonly implants are made with Zirconia. However, Titanium has been used in the past and may still be used today. For more information about why we would use one or the other, give us a call, and we can discuss your options.
Parts of an Implant
Originally, there were two parts of an implant. There was the fixture, and there was the abutment. The fixture was the piece that was implanted into your jaw while the abutment was responsible for retaining the crown. Now, Zirconia implants are one solid piece, which means that there is no joint where bacteria can thrive.
Zirconia Versus Titanium
The most commonly used implants were/are made of Zirconia and titanium. Titanium is a metal, and as such, it tends to go through corrosion, which in the mouth can lead to problems as the human body is not a particularly friendly environment for outsiders. Zirconia, on the other hand, is a ceramic, much like the composite fillings and ceramic teeth that are available today. Ceramics do not suffer from corrosion, and so the dissolving of the implant is a non-issue. Because titanium is a two-part implant, bacteria can grow beneath the gum line and cause infection or inflammation where it is not able to be cleaned, while the Zirconia option is at the gum line so that it can be cleaned regularly.
A cosmetic difference is evident in that titanium is a dark metal, so can sometimes be seen through the gums. Its ceramic counterpart is white, and cannot be seen as it blends naturally with the teeth around it. Liquids and bacteria that get to the center between the two pieces in titanium can cause severe halitosis while the ceramic’s one piece design avoids that issue entirely. Finally, titanium implants can cause bleeding and irritation in the surrounding gums, while it is very uncommon for the same to happen near Zirconia.
Titanium Implants Can Cause Allergies
While it is uncommon, 4% of people are reported to be allergic to titanium. Most allergies can cause rash or breathing difficulties, but since the titanium is implanted into your body and corrosion tends to cause it to break down, it can enter your bloodstream and even go so far as to cause Chronic Fatigue Syndrome. Be sure to be tested before considering a titanium implant.
For more information about implant materials, give us a call at Everwell Dentistry at (734) 973-0000. Our knowledgeable and experienced staff can and will answer any questions you may have about the safety or frequency of the use of different materials, along with what options we prefer and why. Remember to discuss which implant option is best for you and how to maintain your implant after the procedure is finished. Every individual we see is unique, and we can help you formulate the best treatment plan for you.
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