Titanium versus Zirconium Implants

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1 Titanium versus Zirconium Implants A dental materials comparison Dr. Gerald Regni, DMD!!" Christian St. Phila. PA 1213" T: (""") %&'-!"#" E: Dr.Gerald_Regni@yahoo.com

2 Titanium versus Zirconium Implants 2 You ve made the decision to replace your missing teeth and more importantly are exploring dental implants as a permanent solution to tooth loss. This report is intended to educate you on the similarities and differences between a titanium and zirconium implant. While both of these dental materials are biocompatible and integrate with the jawbone, there are some notable points worth exploring to determine which option is best for you. It is important to discuss this with a doctor knowledgeable on the topic prior to making a final decision. We invite you to book a FREE Implant Consultation, which you can schedule here. During the consult we will answer all your questions and decide whether titanium or zirconium will be used should you choose to move forward with the procedure. You may also call our office directly should have any questions or would like to schedule your consult by phone. Call (888) today for more details! Titanium Less technique sensitive. More variety of bone. Zirconium Requires solid homogenous bone. More technique sensitive. Less variety of bone. Site Preparation Ideally adequate bone height and width with adequate tissue attachment covering must be established before placement. Site preparation Ideally adequate bone height and width with adequate tissue attachment covering must be established before placement, but more limited due to limited size in zirconia, less option in minimal bone areas.

3 Titanium versus Zirconium Implants 3 Material used for site preparation: - Bone- Cadaver Material used: Zirconium is a ceramic - Patient - Cow - Synthetic Diagnostic planning Can be more versatile. Used in immediate placement after extracting a bad tooth. Diagnostic planning Selective application not optimum in immediate placement in extraction sites. Prediction Good to excellent Prediction Good Excellent, but more selective on placement. Comparability/ compatibility Titanium Implant Made of titanium and titanium alloys, which have proven to be compatible with oral tissues. The composition of the material and its surface topography play a vital role in osseointegration, which is the most critical part of an implant procedure. Titanium alloys are excellent corrosion resistance, lightweight and its ability to withstand extreme temperatures. These properties make the titanium implant the most appropriate choice for dental implants. Comparability/ Compatibility Zirconium Implant Is a grayish ceramic that resembles titanium in its purest form. It is also good resistant to corrosion and oxidation. Are aesthetically superior to those of titanium. Titanium is darker and Zirconium is tooth- like hue. Also Zirconium implants are said to retain lesser plaque and calculus than titanium, low allergic potential and can withstand high pressures. But since they are one piece if there is any problem you can loose the entire implant. Restorative balance/longevity/cosmetics Restorative balance/longevity/cosmetics

4 Titanium versus Zirconium Implants 4 They should last a lifetime. However, we all can sight examples where teeth have not served for a person's lifetime. We know that dental problems mostly stem from improper home care or lack of treatment when needed. The same holds true for implants. With proper care and routine dental check- ups they should last a lifetime. No one can give guarantees because the health of a person is dependent upon many factors which are out of the control of one's dentist, e.g., proper nutritional needs being met, proper hygiene, genetics, disease processes which might occur. So, the answer to this question really is that no one knows how long each individual implant will last... one's success can be influenced by the way you live and the quality of practitioner that you have chosen to do your implants... these things can tip the scales in your favor. Metal free zirconium dental implants prevent the risk of corrosion that is seen with other implants. This makes the use of zirconium implants much healthier to the surrounding bones and tissue. Case selection / Comprehensive Engineering Because these implants are not one piece (come in components), the implants stay submerged allowing a better chance of integrating in compromised bone sites. Case selection /Comprehensive Engineering Integration process can be disrupted during bone integration due to one piece. Costs Titanium Costs Zirconium $2,800- $4,000 Pros of Titanium Healing will be faster than Zirconium. The titanium implant heals in 3-4 months (Zirconium 5-6 months) The titanium implants are made by three pieces if anything happens not the entire implant has to be removed like in Zirconium implants that are made in one piece. Less expensive than Zirconium. $ 3,800- $5,000 Pros of metal free implants Zirconium Great for patients who have metal allergies. Zirconia implants are all ceramic and metal free, which gives patients the implant options without risking an allergic reaction. More aesthetically pleasing. The Zirconia Implants are all white, which blends better with tooth color and does not leave the dark gray undertones of a metal implant. Integrates better soft tissues than the titanium implants. Cons of Titanium Cons of Zirconium

5 Titanium versus Zirconium Implants 5 Some patients (a small %) are sensitive to titanium so it is best to be evaluated before placement. All in one piece. The Zirconia implants is one piece whereas the titanium implant is two pieces, so if anything happens the entire implant must be replaced. Slower healing time. Will take 5-6 months to heal Titanium will take 3-4 months. More expensive. The cost of zirconia dental implants is higher than the titanium option. Since premature forces can occur on the implant that is one piece. Bone integration can be compromised. The Process The implantation process involves several steps after the FREE Consult. The first is the planning phase, which would ensure that nothing goes wrong with the implant as well as choosing which type of implant is right for you. Your dentist will examine your mouth and the implant site via X- rays, CT scans, and a visual inspection. This is to check the thickness of bone in the area, which is necessary since good bone structure is needed for the implant to succeed in its task. Once this has been confirmed, your dentist will also need the information from the examination to determine how to implant your new tooth and a procedure date can then be scheduled. Call our office today at (888) to book your consult and we can determine if implantation is a good option to replace your missing teeth. You can also learn more by visiting the implant page at our site by clicking here.