Zirconium implants – ceramic

Zirconia implants are an alternative to traditional implants made of titanium, which are currently the most commonly used type of dental implants. It is estimated that hypersensitivity or allergy to metals that are an admixture of titanium from which traditional implants are made may occur in about 0.5% of the population. In people with hypersensitivity to titanium implants after surgery, unusual symptoms such as a sense of itching, burning, swelling or pain may occur even after a period of healing. The alternative to titanium-sensitized patients may be zirconium implants. Zirconium dioxide is a bioinert and non-absorbable material far exceeding the resistance to cracks or bending other ceramic materials. Adding to this, such properties as full biocompatibility with tissues, aesthetic bright color similar to the color of the teeth, it turns out that zirconium implants can be an interesting alternative to traditional implants made of titanium. Zirconia implant is most often used for procedures in the aesthetic zone, wherever the dark color of a traditional titanium implant could cause dark clearances on the gingival tissue.

What does the procedure of zirconia implantation look like? It is very similar to the procedure of implantation of traditional titanium implants – where we refer you to familiarize yourself with the entire procedure. Differences in the procedure occur only if the procedure is performed immediately after the removal of titanium implants , e.g. due to pain caused or allergic caused by hypersensitivity to titanium:

• The dentist performs a computed tomography examination and on its basis plans the course of the procedure of removing titanium implants and the selection of appropriate ceramic implants – made of zirconium oxide
• After the procedure of twisting sensing titanium implants on the same visit, zirconium implants are introduced. After possible bone regeneration and laser biostimulation to improve healing, there is a period of zirconium implant gacation, which in the case of zirconium implants lasts 3 months in the lower jaw and 6 months in the upper jaw.
• After a period of healing of implants made of zirconium, the doctor gets squeezed and performs a ready-made prosthetic supplement.

Faqs:

• What are the advantages of zirconia implants compared to traditional implants made of titanium? – The biggest advantages of ceramic implants are the lack of allergic reactions, the color similar to the color of your own teeth in contrast to the dark gray color of titanium implants, greater resistance to plaque deposition and thus a lower risk of inflammation of the gums and lowering the bone edge. An additional advantage is the better condition of soft tissues in contact with the zirconia surface – they are more resistant to possible inflammation at implants.
• What are the disadvantages of zirconia implants? – The biggest disadvantages of implants made of zirconium are a longer healing period compared to titanium implants. Implants of this type, due to their lower popularity, also have a smaller selection of sizes and shapes and a higher price.
• Which implant to choose – titanium or zirconium? – Zirconia implants are the implants of choice for patients allergic to titanium implants, and patients who do not want to have metal implants in the mouth. An indication may also be a thin type of gum, carrying the risk of translucent dark titanium implant. In such a situation, the white zirconia implant is practically invisible. In other patients, titanium implants remain first choice implants.