The Health Benefits Of Ceramic Dental Implants

By Sammy Noumbissi, DDS, MS

Miles of Smiles Implant Surgery

. https://www.milesofsmilesdental.net/

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The Health Benefits Of Ceramic Dental Implants

There is an alarming number of Americans who suffer some form of tooth loss every year and for the last 20+ years the only option for tooth replacement available in the U.S. has been titanium and titanium alloy dental implants. However in recent years it has been found that once titanium is inserted and put into function in the human body as an implant device, it is not as safe and inert as initially thought. There are increasing reports both in dentistry and medicine of individuals developing sensitivity and allergies to titanium and/or titanium alloys. Even of more concern some of these implants are corroding once exposed to body fluids, such as saliva. As titanium implants corrode they are known to release metal ions, creating low-level electrical currents through the body.

Today with advances in implantable biomaterials research and technology, ceramic dental implants, which are made of zirconia (zirconium dioxide), are now available. Zirconia is the crystal form of the material zirconium, therefore it is not a metal and has emerged as the most hygienic, safe, corrosion-free and stable material for dental implantation. Furthermore, zirconia, by virtue of its translucency and all-white color, makes it the most aesthetically pleasing option available today for tooth replacement.

How Do Ceramic Implants Work?

Just like titanium implants ceramic implants are inserted into the jaw bone to act like a natural tooth-root. They also require 3-6 months of bone integration before they can be fitted with crowns or bridges. Due to its non-metallic construction the ceramic dental implant does not interfere with the body's immune or meridian systems and therefore drastically reduces the potential for rejection. Once anchored into the jaw, the implant integrates directly into the bone to give firm support to the artificial replacement that it is highly aesthetic and built to hold.

Advantages of Ceramic Dental Implants

Implants of a variety of materials have been used successfully for about 40 years and the latest generation of ceramic implant systems made of zirconia takes the science of dental implants to the next level. It's a material the body does not react against. Zirconia can sustain an extreme load capacity, features a very long service life, and presents no conductivity or interference in the body's meridian systems.

Ceramic implants also present almost no danger of corrosion, something that is often a serious problem with metal-based dental implants. Corrosion of a titanium dental implant occurs when it is coupled with the metal framework or abutment of the crown, which more often than not is a less noble metal or alloy than that of the titanium implant. The implant and crown assembly bathes in saliva, which is an electrolyte and a good conductor of electricity; this leads to all sorts of chemical and electrical imbalances in the body.

With a ceramic dental implant it is possible for patients to enjoy the most natural form of firmly anchored teeth, without having to resort to the inconvenience and embarrassment of dentures or unaesthetic implant bridges. In addition, the ceramic implant creates a beautiful restoration that is extremely stable and strong, and able to withstand even the most intense chewing demands.

Ceramic dental implants are sensible and clearly a healthier alternative to conventional and titanium implant bridges, partials or dentures, and most importantly ceramic dental implants look and feel like natural teeth, so much so that you might forget that you ever lost a tooth.