Dental Implant Materials - What Materials Are Best?

Dental Implants materials—what are they made of?

You probably have heard of dental implants. They’re among the most versatile equipment available to restorative dentist practices, such as Walker Periodontics & Implant Dentistry. They come handy in replacing missing teeth and restoring a natural, healthy smile. This is vital because gaps can cause a shift in the rest of your teeth. They can also result in severe bite issues from crooked teeth.

But the question is what is a dental implant made of? What do we mean by dental implant materials? Let’s explore what makes up the best dental implant materials used in today’s dental implant world.

The most common types of dental implant materials

For so many years, virtually all dental implants were derived from one material called titanium. But with the advent of technology, more and more dental implants are now made from different dental implant materials. These materials have seen extensive research, critically considering the physical and chemical properties that affect their clinical applications. Such properties include the microstructure and the surface composition of an implant. Preferably, dental implant materials should appear biocompatible. They should also be resistant to both corrosion and fracturing.
Dental implant materials can consist of titanium or zirconium material design. Notwithstanding the dental implant materials, they must be sturdy and robust. The strength of the dental implant materials and its design must remain compatible with physical property.

Below are the common types of dental implant materials used in making dental implants today.

1. Titanium dental implant materials - Made from metal, Titanium is regarded as the most common type of dental implant materials. Its great characteristic was discovered in 1950. During this time, findings show that implants made from titanium metal allow the bone to grow aright. That is, when placed in contact with the bone and is not disturbed; the bone will grow next to them. This will, in turn, create a permanent affinity.
   
   From the time of this discovery, titanium dental implant materials have been the most sought-after implants. It provides long-lasting results, and the cost is very reasonable. It remains one of the best dental implant materials of all times.
   
   
2. Zirconia dental implant materials - In contrast to titanium, zirconia is a recent invention. It is regarded as the most promising future of dental implant materials. Zirconia dental implant materials saw full abutment uses in the early 1990s. But during this time, titanium implant materials were still in vogue.
   
   It was not until 2003 that coralroot released the first dental implant materials-based all-in-one crown. Although they are relatively new, zirconia dental implant materials are rising in popularity.
   

What makes some dental implant materials better than others?

As discussed earlier, the two primary dental implant materials are titanium and zirconia. Each of these two dental implant materials has their unique features.

For instance, titanium has been tested and provided a high success rate in both medical and dental procedures. Its versatility set it apart from the zirconia. As a metal, titanium has been the first choice in all forms of bone and plate implant. Millions of patients have reaped the benefits of titanium.

Below are reasons why titanium remains better than zirconia as the most efficient dental implant materials in history.

• Titanium dental implant materials and its designs can be produced in a two piece system. These are, a separate abutment sitting atop the implant and connecting to the replacement tooth. The other is a post that is surgically implanted in the bone. The zirconia doesn’t have this capability. Instead, it is manufactured as a single piece.
  
• Again, titanium is the best dental implant materials because it is biocompatible. This means it is right and closely matched the human body. It can also fuse with the human bone.
  
• The two pieces system allows for a customizable implant that solves low bone deficiencies. This means you can still have a pleasant smile even if you are experiencing bone loss.
  
• However, the zirconia dental implant materials combine both post and abutment into making one unit. This reduces the fear of bacteria hiding and affecting the gum. Despite this good advantage, zirconia dental implant materials and their ceramic designs are not fully appreciated yet. This is because it has not been around for too long. So, unlike the titanium dental implant materials, it hasn’t seen any tests yet.      
  

If you are still not sure what dental implant materials to use, we can help you. At Walker Periodontics & Implant Dentistry, we can take you through the pros and cons. Call us at (971) 462-9800.