Zirconia Implants
- Posted on: Apr 18 2019
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Dental implants can be a great option for people in Franklin Square who want to improve their oral health and the appearance and comfort of their mouth. Implants provide a permanent solution for tooth loss and are rooted in the patient’s jaw for a long-term change that can mimic the look and feel of natural teeth.
Titanium and Zirconia Dental Implants
There are two main types of materials used for dental implants: titanium and Zirconia. Titanium implants are the traditional metal implants, while Zirconia implants are metal-free, comfortable and resemble natural teeth due to their white, ceramic finish. Both titanium and zirconia can be excellent choices to rejuvenate your smile and restore lost teeth, but there are various factors that may make Zirconia a great choice for your mouth.
Titanium is a frequent choice for dental implants because it fuses easily with the bones in your jaw, it has decades of research and practice behind it and it is a strong, lightweight material frequently used in surgical replacements. With a 95 percent success rate, titanium implants are known to last 30 years or even more.
However, many people are looking to minimize the number of additional metals added to their body. In some cases, people can be allergic to titanium and in other cases, patients may experience a metallic taste, autoimmune effects or insomnia related to their reaction to titanium. While a titanium allergy is rare, there are no known human allergies to Zirconia whatsoever. In addition, titanium can appear in small amounts in the human bloodstream, although this is not associated with ill effects. Zirconia does not appear in the bloodstream, even when dental implants have been in place for years.
Advantages of Zirconia Implants
Zirconia has been used in dental implants in Europe for over 30 years and in the United States since 2017. These implants are designed to:
- Prevent gum discoloration
- Resemble natural teeth
- Avoid corrosion
- Remain durable and natural in appearance
- Preserve and enhance the appearance of your smile
Zirconia dental implants are biocompatible; they will fuse to your bone, forming a seamless progression that looks and feels like a natural tooth. In addition, because Zirconia is a crystal material that sets with a natural ivory color, there is no risk of a metallic appearance at the gumline as may be the case with titanium implants. When you opt for Zirconia dental implants, you can brush and clean them just like natural teeth.
As Zirconia dental implants are metal-free, they are particularly resistant to plaque. While regular cleaning and dental check-ups remain important, reduced plaque accumulation can reduce the risk of other health dangers like peri-implantitis, strokes or heart disease.
An Innovative Alternative to Dentures
Implants provide a real change from dentures or dental bridges. These devices feel less natural, and many denture and bridge wearers remain aware of the prosthetics in their mouth. In some cases, they can loosen, shift or even detach, making it uncomfortable to enjoy food without fear or concern.
The implant placement procedure can take place under local anesthesia right in the Clocktower Dental office in Franklin Square. Your dentist will insert the implant base directly into your gum line to replace a missing tooth. You will receive a temporary crown until your implant fully integrates with the bones of your jaw and your gums. Once this procedure is securely complete, you will receive a permanent crown.
Zirconia implants can be placed using minimally invasive techniques that allow you to return to your busy lifestyle. It only takes around 15 to 20 minutes to place one implant, and you can return to work right away, even though you may feel slight discomfort for one or two days after the procedure. If you would like to explore Zirconia dental implants for yourself, contact Clocktower Dental in Franklin Square or request an online appointment for a consultation for your dentist to discuss how these innovative implants could work for you.
Stay Aware of Oral Cancer
While you’re thinking about your dental health, keep in mind that it’s April. This means that it’s also Oral Cancer Awareness Month across the country and at Clocktower Dental. Every hour, someone dies of oral cancer in the United States; however, early detection and treatment can increase chances of survival and lead to a greater likelihood of successful treatment.
Clocktower Dental is proud to join the Oral Cancer Foundation and an array of dental professional organizations to mark the 19th annual Oral Cancer Awareness Month. Oral cancer screenings can help to save lives. If you’ve never had an oral cancer screening before, April is a great time to schedule one. You can include it as part of your regular dental check-ups in the future. We offer oral cancer screenings, and we invite you to call us and make an appointment!
Posted in: Dental Implants
