Lose a Tooth? Consider a Zirconia Implant

Not so long ago, individuals who lost one or more teeth had a limited range of options. All of those choices revolved around the same concept: a man-made tooth replacement that was anchored in place by a means of attachment to surrounding teeth. Depending on the location of the missing tooth, the dentist would devise a plan to create a bridge that places one or more false teeth on the surface of the gum, connecting to the teeth on either side. The result was often cosmetically deficient, and bridgework requires periodic replacement.

In recent years, however, dental implants have become widely used. An implant is a man-made tooth that is anchored to the patient's bone structure by a cosmetic dentist. The result is a more durable, lasting and cosmetically appealing tooth replacement option. Over time, dental implants can also save money over more "traditional" choices such as bridgework as implants do not normally need to be replaced.

Early Dental Implants

In the 1980s, dental implants were made of two parts: a titanium implant post that anchored into the patient's jaw bone, and a titanium abutment that extended beyond the gumline. The abutment could then be coated with materials that mimic the appearance of a natural tooth. By 2000, dental technology had expanded to create an implant that featured a titanium post with a ceramic abutment. Human tissue responds far better to ceramic than metal, which made these implants more successful.

What Are Zirconia Implants?

Today, your dentist office may offer a Zirconia implant. These implants are made of a special type of ceramic. There are implant styles that are made with only one piece, or choices that use the traditional two-piece structure, where both pieces are made of the same ceramic substance. This means that there is never any visible metal, even if the patient's gums recede over time.

No Risk of Corrosion

Zirconia implants completely eliminate the risk of corrosion, which is a serious concern with older types of implants. Corrosion takes place any time metal degrades from exposure to a hostile environment. The human mouth and surrounding tissues pose an ideal environment for corrosion to take place. Over time, a corroding implant can lead to serious problems, up to and including bone loss.

To learn more about Zirconia dental implants, contact Great Lakes Dental today or to make an appointment for an initial consultation.