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The thousands of dental materials available today make biocompatibility a must. Bodies will react to anything detected as “not-me” – sometimes almost imperceptibly, sometimes profoundly. Testing helps us understand which materials are the best match for your personal biochemistry and which we should steer clear from.
We think this is the safest and most responsible way to do dentistry.
Still, there are some materials that can be considered broadly biocompatible. Zirconia is one of them.
What Is Zirconia?
Zirconia is a ceramic made from a natural mineral called zirconium dioxide. It’s exceptionally strong and durable, even under the heavy, regular forces of biting and chewing. The human body accepts it well, and it integrates smoothly with bone and gum tissue, promoting healthy healing after dental procedures.
Aesthetically, zirconia’s white color and translucence make it an excellent choice for restorations that blend seamlessly with natural teeth. Since it’s metal-free, there are no concerns with metal sensitivity, oral galvanism, or corrosion releasing metal ions into the body. Its smooth surface resists plaque better, as well.
Because of this, zirconia has a wide range of uses in dentistry. Here at the Holistic Dental Center, we use it most often for crowns and dental implants.
Zirconia Dental Implants: The Good
Ceramic dental implants offer some important benefits over the standard titanium implants that most dentists use.
Through recent years, metal sensitivities have been on the rise. Some people don’t even realize they have one until after receiving titanium implants, potentially leading to complications. The titanium alloys commonly used can also corrode over time, releasing metal particles into the body and potentially causing local or systemic health issues.
Ceramic implants, on the other hand, are biocompatible and non-allergenic. They don’t conduct electricity or heat, avoid the risk of creating galvanic currents, and are less susceptible to bacterial growth. This promotes healthier gums and overall oral health.
Zirconia implants are highly durable and integrate well with bone tissue, promoting healthy regeneration of gums and supporting long-term oral health. Patients often experience a shorter implantation process and increased comfort due to the material’s compatibility with the body.
Some evidence even suggests that more natural bone is retained when ceramic implants are used – something that can enhance stability, longevity, and overall implant success.
Aesthetically, zirconia also has the edge. The white color of ceramic implants closely mimics natural teeth and jawbone, avoiding the grayish tint that titanium implants can create at the gumline.
Zirconia Dental Implants: The Bad
As great as they are, though, zirconia dental implants may not be the best choice for everyone, such as people with a history of severe or aggressive gum disease. Unfortunately, that level of gum disease is the number one reason for adult tooth loss and, thus, the need for implants.
Yet according to a recent scientific review, “A history of periodontitis can be considered a significant risk factor for incident implant failure, peri-implantitis, and greater marginal bone loss.”
Peri-implantitis is like gum disease, only it happens around implants rather than natural teeth. It’s marked by infection and chronic inflammation. While rates of peri-implantitis and a related condition called peri-implant mucositis are significantly lower with ceramic implants, they are still risks to consider. (Rates are higher with titanium implants, as the disease can worsen corrosion, which, in turn, can worsen peri-implantitis.)
Also worth recognizing is that, in terms of long-term costs, at least some evidence suggests that when teeth are at risk of being lost to gum disease, it may be more economical to maintain the natural teeth with intensive periodontal therapy. The long-term costs and complications of implants can be higher in such cases.
Maintaining periodontally compromised teeth is generally more cost-effective, therefore, maintenance costs and potential complications should be carefully considered in treatment planning.
Ceramic Dental Implants: The In-Between
Ultimately, as with any dental situation, you are the ultimate decider as to the best treatment option to meet your needs. We share as much information as we can and take the time to answer all the questions you may have on your options, including replacing missing teeth with ceramic dental implants.
Then it’s up to you to weigh the pros and cons, and identify your own health values and goals, so you can make the decision that’s most right for you.
And that’s really another virtue of biological dentistry: You are encouraged to take an active role in your oral health care; to not just be a passive patient; to create the dental future you most want for yourself.
