Anytime you have anything surgically placed into your body; you need to know exactly what it is. This is true when it comes to dental implants as well. There are two types of implants used in dentistry today: zirconia and titanium. Titanium has been the main material that’s been used for decades, while zirconia is fairly new to the scene. Our doctors in San Francisco rely mainly on titanium implants, but we evaluate each patient to determine which type will work best for them. Here are some of the pros and cons of both zirconia and titanium implants.
The Pros and Cons of Zirconia Dental Implants
Zirconia dental implants are metal-free, so they are an attractive option for people who like the idea of not putting metal into their bodies. And since zirconia implants are metal-free, there is no corrosion associated with them.
As far as disadvantages go with zirconia implants, because they are a new type of dental implant, there simply isn’t enough data available yet to determine what their long-term benefits are. These implants are prone to fracturing, and the one-piece design also means the abutment is not removable. It’s fixed to the implant instead, which means our doctors have a very small margin of error and it is possible that you may require more extensive surgery to ensure the zirconia implant is placed correctly.
The Pros and Cons of Titanium Dental Implants
Titanium has been used for dental implants for decades for many reasons. These dental implants have been proven to last for 20 years – or more, depending on the level of care they are given by the patient. The strength of titanium implants is also a big advantage, so patients can use them, as they would their real teeth without having to worry about fracturing them. And from an aesthetic perspective, many patients in SF forget they even have titanium implants over time, since they look and feel like your regular teeth.
With so much history and research done on titanium dental implants, there are very few cons to them. San Francisco patients may read about possible allergic reactions to titanium, but the reality is there are no documented cases of such. The main downfall patients cite is the cost of titanium being higher than zirconia, but most of those patients still opt for titanium because of the obvious advantages.
At SF Oral Surgery we primarily use titanium dental implants for many different reasons, but we will also adapt to your needs. Don’t hesitate to contact us today by calling (415) 776-6710. Our friendly and knowledgeable staff will schedule an appointment where you will get to meet with one of our oral surgeons. During your consultation, we set aside an ample amount of time so we can fully explain the differences between zirconia and titanium dental implants with you in a relaxing atmosphere. We give our patients our undivided attention, and you will never feel rushed. We believe that to provide our San Francisco patients with the best care; it’s essential to create a positive doctor-patient relationship from the very start.
