Ceramic vs Titanium Dental Implants, What’s the Difference?

Dental implants have long been established as one of the best ways to replace lost teeth. Implants replace your entire tooth structure, roots and all, to give you a smile that’s functional, natural-looking, and enduring. Although titanium implants are often the standard option, there’s much to be said about ceramic dental implants and their metal-free properties. Your San Diego, California, implant dentist, Dr. Paige Woods from Brighton Dental answers your questions about ceramic implants to see if they’re a good fit for you.

What are ceramic dental implants?

Ceramic implants, also called zirconia implants, are metal-free dental implants.

They’re comparable to titanium implants, but they’re only composed of ceramic instead of metal. If you have metal allergies and don’t want to take the chance of getting titanium implants, ceramic implants offer the perfect alternative without compromising the quality of your implant restoration.

How are ceramic implants used?

Like titanium implants, ceramic implants are placed inside your jaw surgically to function like tooth roots. Over time, they will fuse with your bone tissue to become the foundation for your new smile. Ceramic implants come in two basic types: one piece and two-piece implants. One-piece ceramic implants come with an abutment (connector) attached. With two-piece ceramic implants, the abutment is a separate piece that’s attached after the implant has healed. The abutment is what connects your restoration (crown, bridge, or denture) to the implant to complete your smile.

How do ceramic implants compare to titanium implants?

Health-conscious people may find ceramic implants a better choice for numerous reasons. Zirconia implants look more like natural teeth, are hypoallergenic, and are more biocompatible than titanium implants when it comes to fully integrating with body tissues. Ceramic implants minimize your risk of implant failure or other complications.

What are the benefits of getting ceramic implants?

Ceramic implants offer a wide range of benefits in restoring your smile, including:

• Lifetime use
• Jawbone strength and support with no bone loss   
• Security and stability when you bite and chew
• Support for nearby teeth to keep them from shifting
• A strong, pleasing, natural-looking grin

Ceramic implants can replace any missing tooth, but due to their natural beauty, they are an exceptional choice for front teeth.  

How long does the ceramic implant process take?   

The process of getting metal-free dental implants is similar to that of getting titanium implants. Both require a waiting period to give the implant time to integrate with your jaw before attaching permanent replacement teeth. Depending on the number of teeth being replaced, your rate of healing, and the complexity of your needs, the process can take between 4 and 12 months to complete.

How do I care for ceramic implants?

Good oral hygiene and routine dental cleanings will help keep your metal-free implants in good shape. Thorough brushing and flossing are key to minimizing plaque buildup that can lead to decay or gum disease.

Where can I get ceramic dental implants near me?

To schedule a consultation for ceramic metal-free dental implants, contact Dr. Paige Woods from Brighton Dental in San Diego, CA, at (619) 831-8559.

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