Metal-free ceramic dental implants have been researched since the 1960s. However, it took decades of development to create today’s high-quality ceramic implants used in dental implantology.
What will you find out in this article?
In this article, read about the following topics:
- What are ceramic dental implants made of?
- Are ceramic dental implants truly metal-free?
- Are titanium or ceramic dental implants better?
- Ceramic dental implants in Apollonia
What are ceramic dental implants made of?
Ceramic dental implants are made of zirconium ceramic, which is obtained from zirconium dioxide (ZrO 2 ).
It is a ceramic material that has been used for decades in the manufacture of industrial cutters, tools, kitchen knives, etc. In medicine, this material was first used in orthopedics .
Since they are made from zirconium dioxide, they are also called zirconia dental implants .
In terms of its properties, ceramics obtained from zirconium dioxide are similar to steel, so in jargon they call it “ceramic steel”.
The first attempts to use zirconia ceramics in dental implantology date back to the 1960s. However, top-of-the-line ceramic dental implants, with stable and predictable results, only came onto the market in the early 2000s .
Are ceramic dental implants truly metal-free?
Since the raw material for the production of zirconium ceramics, zirconium dioxide (ZrO 2 ), is obtained from the metal zirconium (Zr), there is doubt whether the ceramic implant does not contain metal.
Does not contain : zirconium dioxide is a completely different material.
Namely, during the oxidation of zirconium, electrons are transferred from zirconium to oxygen molecules. This change is permanent and irreversible , and its result is a material that is completely different from zirconium in terms of composition and all physical and chemical properties.
Therefore, we can say that ceramic or zirconia dental implants are truly completely metal-free implants.
With metal-free ceramic dental implants, you don’t have to worry about ingesting metal into your body or having allergic reactions.
Additionally, ceramic or zirconia implants also have a lifetime warranty with proper maintenance.
Contact us for advice on choosing a dental implant, make an appointment for an examination , or send us a question .
Are titanium or ceramic dental implants better?
According to all properties and research, premium ceramic dental implants are just as high quality and reliable as dental implants made of titanium.
It should be noted right away that ceramic or zirconia dental implants are not a replacement, but a quality alternative, for titanium dental implants.
Therefore, although both types of implants are an excellent choice for replacing a lost tooth, there are differences between them on which the patient and implantologist will base their decision on their selection.
Aesthetics of ceramic dental implants
Because ceramic or zirconia dental implants are white in color, they will look better on patients with thin gums , especially in the smile region.
In addition, the metal edge of titanium implants, or metal abutments, can sometimes be seen under the crown if the gums recede .
While the visibility of the edge of a metal implant can still be addressed, with zirconia dental implants there is no risk of compromising the aesthetic impression at all.
Osseointegration and healing
Titanium and zirconium ceramics are biocompatible materials. In addition, zirconium ceramics is also a hypoallergenic material.
Therefore, ceramic dental implants eliminate the extremely small probability of an allergic reaction to the implanted implant.
Both types of implants achieve the highest degree of osseointegration and healing .
Ceramic dental implants also show a slightly lower degree of attraction and retention of plaque and bacteria compared to titanium implants.
In addition to the qualities of a titanium implant, a metal-free ceramic dental implant also has an aesthetic advantage.
If you want the ultimate aesthetic impression of an implant, the best choice is a zirconia dental implant.
Contact us for advice on choosing a dental implant, make an appointment for an examination , or send us a question .
Application possibilities
Regarding the breadth and flexibility of application, titanium dental implants continue to show far greater versatility .
Nevertheless, ceramic dental implants are advancing more and more in this field, so we already have ceramic implants with which we can perform All-on-4 and other more complex procedures.
Due to the different system of implant suprastructures (the parts on which the dental crown is installed), the installation of ceramic dental implants must be extremely precise .
However, with Navident , the computer-guided implantation system that we use at the Apolonija Polyclinic, the possibility of human error is completely eliminated .
Find out more about the dental implant placement protocol in our clinic, based on the guidelines of leading European and world implantology societies, on our website: “Implantation procedure in Apollonia” .
Price of ceramic dental implant
The process of making a ceramic dental implant is very complex . It is necessary to ensure that not even the slightest defects occur on the surface of the implant during production.
Therefore, the price of a premium ceramic dental implant is about 30% higher than the price of a premium titanium dental implant.
Ceramic dental implants in Apollonia
Every manufacturer of ceramic or zirconia dental implants strives to perfect them so that they stand shoulder to shoulder with titanium dental implants in all aspects.
One of the manufacturers that has come a long way in this direction is the Swiss company Z-Systems , a member of the Straumann group , whose dental implants are also installed by our clinic.
Did you find out what you were interested in?
In this article you have learned a lot about ceramic dental implants . You may be interested in more details about the following topics:
- Titanium dental implants
- Prerequisites for dental implant placement
- All-on-4: fixed bridge on implants
- Implant procedure in Apollonia
At the Apolonija polyclinic, we offer premium class ceramic implants.
Along with all the qualities of titanium implants, ceramic implants also have some of their own, such as superior aesthetics .
Contact us for advice , order a sample or send us a question .