GUEST POST
Our thanks to Dr. Jana Ledic and Holistic Dentistry of Port Washington for letting us run this recent post from their office blog. You’ll find their original post here.
Whether we’re doing a simple cleaning or a complex set of dental restorations, biocompatibility matters. As a biological practice, we want to be sure that all the materials we use and procedures we do will be in harmony with the rest of the body.
It’s perhaps even more important when we’re placing dental implants, as they’re intended to become one with the body. The implants serve as artificial tooth roots, which can support crowns, bridges, partials, and even full dentures. While nothing can quite compare to natural teeth, in terms of look and function, implants come closest and, done well, are indistinguishable from the real thing.
Traditionally, dental implants have been made from titanium alloys, and most implants that are placed today continue to be made from metal. Although pure titanium appears to pose little risk to most people, it’s often combined with other metals, such as aluminum. Trace amounts of other toxic metals, such as nickel, can be found in some alloys, as well.
Biocompatibility – how well your body accepts a foreign material – is the number one reason why we place only ceramic implants here in our office. Specifically, they’re made of zirconia, which is a great match for the vast majority of patients. (If there’s ever any question or doubt about any material’s suitability for any patient, we can test in advance.)
Being metal-free, there’s no possibility of zirconia implants releasing metal ions into the surrounding tissues and bloodstream as titanium implants can do, being subject to corrosion. That release can trigger immune or inflammatory responses in the body, raising the risk of peri-implantitis, which is like gum disease only involving implants instead of teeth. This significantly raises the risk that the implant will ultimately fail.
This is simply a non-issue with ceramic implants. Not only do you avoid the problems that can be caused by ion release; bacteria have a harder time sticking to zirconia surfaces and forming biofilms. Less bacterial buildup means a lower risk of infection.
Another way in which ceramic increases the odds of long-term implant success is that it not only integrates well with bone; ceramic implants appear to be better at preserving bone levels over time. With titanium, you can expect bone loss of 1 to 1.5mm during the first year and continued loss after that. This is considered normal. With ceramic? Bone levels tend to remain stable.
This improved bone preservation comes from ceramic’s friendly interaction with gum tissues. The material promotes a stronger seal around the implant, better protecting the underlying bone from bacteria and inflammation that lead to bone loss. This gives zirconia implants better long-term stability.
Of course, while health comes first, aesthetics matter, too, and zirconia beats titanium in this realm, as well. The natural white color of ceramic implants prevents dark lines or gray areas showing through the gums. This is especially important when we’re replacing teeth in the front of the mouth, where even slight discoloration becomes noticeable. Ceramic implants always look natural, blending seamlessly with your natural smile.
Bottom line? Your smile deserves materials that work with your body, not against it. We’re here when you’re ready to learn more about ceramic implants for your dental journey.