Is Zirconia Implant Really Metal-free & Biocompatible?

Zirconia implants are introduced to the dentistry market as the restorative material of choice. Their white color, biocompatibility, and high mechanical properties have made them very popular. These metal-free implants are primarily delivered by holistic dentists worldwide.

What Is Biocompatible Dentistry?

Biocompatible dentistry is a form of dentistry that applies specific biomaterials for medical systems for holistic development. It focuses on the link between your mouth and your body, considering that what happens in your mouth affects your whole body or represents some contributing factors in your body.

Biocompatible dental materials are non-toxic substances that don’t adversely affect a person’s biology when used in their mouth. Also, dentists try to avoid invasive procedures, such as surgery, when less-invasive means are attainable.

Biocompatible dentists help you improve your health through dental hygiene instead of just considering the harmful effects of improper teeth hygiene.

They believe that certain requirements should be met to achieve the desired health of your mouth and body.

Holistic dentists involve the philosophy of biocompatible dentistry in their medical treatments and apply natural procedures that do not harm the body as a whole.

Biocompatible dentistry balances the bacteria in your mouth by ensuring that you follow proper oral hygiene.

  • No toxic fillings

While most traditional dentists use silver amalgam fillings containing mercury, a toxic substance to the body, holistic approaches use resin-made fillings as an alternative. These fillings are adhesive by nature and will attach to your teeth effortlessly.

  • No over usage of fluoride

Holistic dentists discourage applying too much Fluoride, as they consider it to be responsible for your teeth’ mineralization.

Fluoride is a natural mineral that produces enamel for your teeth, and it there is too much of it, dental fluorosis may develop. Dental fluorosis occurs due to changes in the enamel because of excess fluoride, which is why holistic dentists keep fluoride at a minimum, and manage the fluoride intake.

  • No root canals

Root canals can allow bacteria to enter your bloodstream, causing long-term adverse effects. While many dentists may perform this procedure, biocompatible dentistry takes advantage of safer, non-surgical methods, such as direct pulp capping or pulpotomy.

  • Digital X-Rays

Traditional X-Rays will increase the risk of exposure to radiation, which is the reason behind several health issues. These days, thanks to advanced technology, biocompatible dentistry benefits from digital X-rays that pose no such risks.

Metal-Free Dental Implants

Implants are one of the most beneficial alternatives for your missing teeth. They are also the most natural restoratives in the market.

All implant pins were made of Titanium before ceramic implants were offered as a much better solution.

Titanium may corrode and cause inflammation around the implant, which leads to peri-implantitis. This condition allows bacteria to invade the oral cavity, destroying the bone and soft tissues around the implant. Based on reports, many patients complain about this issue.

Titanium can stimulate autoimmune dysfunction as well. This depends on several factors, such as your genetics, health behaviors, and other lifestyle and environmental elements.

Additionally, you may be allergic to Titanium as a metal.

Oral galvanism is another problem caused by metal implants once applied along with other metals, such as mercury fillings.

Metal-free dental implants are marketed as a safer alternative to metal implants. These types of implants are made from Zirconia, a solid ceramic material that is strong, yet highly biocompatible. These implants have emerged as an option to the old metal implants.

Compared to Titanium, they improve your gum and overall health by retaining less plaque and calculus. However, they are more demanding when it comes to hygiene.

Titanium has been around longer and is proven to be a reliable and successful dental implant technique. At the same time, Zirconia has appeared as a beneficial implant system with more biocompatibility than titanium implants.

The Benefits of Zirconia Implants

Before Zirconium Dioxide was employed as an implant alternative, some traditional ceramic-forming techniques were utilized, but they had some limitations and shortcomings. These methods could not be applied to areas with complex shapes requiring high precision. They were more time-consuming and costly.

Zirconium Dioxide is widely used in rigid structures because it makes ceramic implants very strong. Zirconia ceramics are tough and have good thermal shock resistance.

While Zirconia dental implants seem promising, they have some disadvantages compared to Titanium.

Fracture Resistance is one of the most significant factors. Though Zirconia implants are strong, they are more likely to fracture and crack compared to Titanium, with lower flexural strength.

It’s difficult to say for sure that Zirconia implants are better than metal ones. However, they deliver benefits that have made them a more popular option.

  • Esthetics: Zirconia implants look very natural thanks to their tooth-like color. They do not carry the risk of discoloration or grayness.
  • Lower risk of allergy: Allergy to Titanium as a metal is one of the primary reasons for the popularity of Zirconia implants.
  • Lower plaque accumulation: Little plaque formation and infections around zirconia implants have been reported, which is considered a significant advantage.
  • No concern about galvanic effects: Zirconia is a poor thermal conductor, and there is no need to worry about galvanic actions which occur when two electrochemically dissimilar metals are in contact.

Another issue is that the long-term success of zirconia implants has not been proven compared to Titanium implants which have a more extended history in dentistry.

Zirconia implants are not practical for implant-supported dentures, nor are they practical when it comes to treating patients who need all their teeth to be replaced, requiring a variety of component options.

If you are considering opting for implants and you feel a Zirconia implant is the way to go, you can discuss your concerns with us before making the final decision.

Zirconia implants are safe and effective, and deliver excellent outcomes if applied correctly. However, they may not be the best choice for everybody.

You are recommended to share your medical history and expectations for the best treatment plan.

You can trust our holistic dentists, who will care for your teeth in a comfortable environment with advanced techniques.

They will offer the most reasonable solutions depending on your oral condition, all the while taking into account your overall health, which is our priority.

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