When considering the best material for teeth implants, titanium stands out for its durability, biocompatibility, and success rate in osseointegration (the process where the implant fuses with the jawbone). Despite being a different treatment, patients with Invisalign should be aware that the quality and material of dental implants are crucial for overall dental restoration success. Titanium implants have been a gold standard in dental implantology for years, praised for their strength and ability to integrate seamlessly with the jawbone, thus providing a stable foundation for replacement teeth.
Titanium has been used for dental implants since 1981 due to its high strength, light weight, durability, corrosion resistance and biocompatibility. This means that it integrates well with the surrounding gum tissue, making it an effective and safe option for dental implants. But which material is best for your smile and overall health? In this article, we'll explore the benefits of titanium and zirconia implants and help you decide which one is right for you.
Titanium Implants
Titanium is one of the most commonly used materials in dental implants.This is because it can be easily implanted in bone and allows bone to expand properly during the healing period. Bone can grow next to titanium implants because it contacts the bone and is not altered. This creates a lasting affinity between the implant and the bone. An implant may not be solely made of titanium.
Instead, it's likely to include a titanium alloy, which includes trace amounts of other metals such as nickel, aluminum, molybdenum, vanadium, niobium, or zirconium. Titanium is crucial for dental implants because it is non-toxic, durable and lightweight. Titanium will act as a replacement root for the tooth and will usually last more than 30 years.
Zirconia Implants
Zirconia is a ceramic material that has been used in dental implants since the early 2000s.It has a high success rate and biocompatibility, making it a great option for people who have missing teeth. Zirconia is strong and durable, and resistant to corrosion. The main reason zirconia is used in dental implants is because it can “osseointegrate” and become a permanent part of the mouth. The implant itself is a small piece of material shaped like a rod or screw, and is implanted directly into the gums and jaw, where the missing tooth used to be.
This fusion ensures that the implant stays in place and serves as a strong and durable anchor for the prosthetic tooth or teeth for decades.
Which Material Is Best?
When performed by the best periodontists, ceramic implants are basically indistinguishable from natural teeth. Because every person has a unique smile, dental implants will be custom-made to complement the patient's natural teeth. Some implants are designed to replace a single tooth from crown to root, while others serve as anchors for an entire arch of replacement teeth.Modern dental implants are safe, effective and long lasting, and studies show that they are the best option for replacing one or more missing teeth. Both titanium and zirconia implants have high success rates and biocompatibility. Ultimately, which one is best for your smile and overall health depends on you and your dentist.
