Why We Recommend Metal-Free Zirconia Dental Implants

Are you missing a tooth? If the answer is yes, you might be thinking about getting a dental implant to replace it. Titanium implants are the most common type, but that doesn’t mean they’re the best choice for everyone.

Metal-free zirconia dental implants are a ceramic material derived from the mineral zircon. While zirconia is relatively new in the field of dental restoration, it offers some serious benefits over traditional options.

Anthony Nguyen, DDS, AFAAID, and our team at Whole Body Dental in Bellevue, Washington, specialize in metal-free zirconia implants, and here are a few of the biggest reasons why we recommend zirconia for so many of our patients.

Zirconia implants are permanent

Over 120 million Americans are missing at least one tooth. Having a missing tooth hinders your mouth function, and the gap it leaves behind not only affects the look of your smile but also can put your remaining teeth at risk of decay and shifting.

Dentures, bridges, and other dental restorations can fill the gap. But they’re not designed to replace the whole tooth, down to your jawbone. Dental implants can, and zirconia implants are metal-free.

Zirconia is an incredibly strong material. Dr. Nguyen inserts the zirconia implant post into your jawbone, and the material integrates with your bone tissue to create a rigid tooth “root.” He tops the implant with an artificial tooth crown, and the restoration functions just like a natural tooth in your mouth.

Zirconia implants look like natural teeth

Zirconia implants are strong enough to withstand pressure when you bite and chew, but they also offer aesthetic benefits. 

Your implant crown is custom-made to match the shape, size, and color of your natural teeth. While titanium implants are dark enough to create a visible shadow under your gumline, zirconia is naturally white, making these implants an ideal solution to replace missing teeth at the front of your mouth — so your implant is virtually undetectable.

Zirconia is a biocompatible material

Zirconia implants improve mouth function and restore the look of your smile — and they do it with a material that’s biocompatible. That means it works well with the tissues in your body and lowers your risk of an adverse reaction.

Zirconia is naturally hypoallergenic, making these implants an excellent choice for people with metal allergies or sensitivities. Because zirconia is non-metal, it doesn’t corrode, migrate to other parts of your body, or trigger chemical reactions.

Zirconia implants are easy to care for

Once you have a zirconia dental implant, it doesn’t require special care. You simply brush and floss along with your natural teeth, and you never have to remove it from your mouth. Some studies also report that the material is naturally bacteria-resistant, which could mean less plaque accumulation and a lower risk of infection. 

Are you ready to find out if metal-free zirconia dental implants are right for you? Call Whole Body Dental at 425-643-1231 or book a consultation online to get started.