Hi, it's Mia Armonde here to talk to you about family dentistry. As my small family grew into a large one, I found myself at the dental office on a regular basis. Every six months, the kids would go into the dentist for a cleaning or repairs to their teeth. During that time, I took an interest in the various ways the dental tools were evolving. Tools used in the dental industry have grown in leaps and bounds in the last few decades. For example, my kids went from hearing the dental drill to wearing headphones that completely canceled out the sound. Each time we go back into the dentist, I take a close look at the improvements that have arisen since the last visit. The results are astounding. I will cover my findings on this site, so you can also enjoy the improvements to dental tools and techniques.
When you lose one of your teeth, you have the option of getting a dental implant. Nowadays, you have a choice in what type of material you can choose. Titanium has been the gold standard when it comes to implants, but non-metal zirconia is now available for those whom titanium wasn't an ideal option. However, each option has its advantages and disadvantages depending on your needs.
Composition of dental implants
Dental implants generally come in two parts: The crown, or the part you see, and the abutment, which is the part that is screwed into the jaw. The crown is made in a similar way to a regular crown with it either being metal reinforced or made entirely or ceramic materials. The abutments are where you have the choice between titanium or zirconia.
Titanium Implants
Titanium implants have been used for many years and have been known for their long-term success. Therefore, there is a lot of data as to their strengths and weaknesses.
Advantages
Titanium is very bio-friendly and adheres to bone easily which is why it's used in a wide variety of medical uses. It is also very strong and light which means that it won't feel heavy in your jaw. Titanium is also non-conductive in that it won't make hot and cold foods feel more extreme in your jaw.
Disadvantages
Though it is very rare, some people may have an allergic reaction. Those with thin bone density often report seeing a metal line along the gum line when the implant is installed. Also, titanium is metal, and if you're concerned about the amount of metal in your body, then this might not be the right choice for you.
Zirconia Implants
Zirconia is the new kid on the block; therefore, it doesn't have the long history and track record that titanium has. Here are a few things experts know about zirconia implants.
Advantages
Zirconia implants tend to be less allergenic, especially to those with known metal allergies. They also are less likely to corrode and collect bacteria than metals like titanium. Like titanium, they also ossify or blend into the bone easily. They tend to have a more natural aesthetic effect with no gray lines or discoloration of the gums.
Disadvantages
One of the major issues with zirconia is that they are made of entirely one piece and have to be very precisely implanted. If they're not implanted nearly perfectly, then there's a risk of cracking should any adjustment need to be made. They are also likely to fracture if you grind your teeth or like to eat extremely hard foods.
Both titanium and zirconia implants work very well when you need to have a tooth replaced. However, the one you should choose should be the one that fits your lifestyle and that you feel confident about. If you are considering a dental implant, talk to your dentist about dental implant services.
Share10 June 2018
