Zirconia implants are a dental procedure considered an excellent choice due to the many benefits it provides to patients. In addition to being an aesthetically beautiful material, zirconia lasts a long time in the mouth, depending on the patient's habits and care for the piece, of course! Although it is not well known by most patients, zirconia has been used in dentistry for many years, including for dental restorations.
What is zirconia?
Zirconia, or zirconium oxide, is a material that replaces metal in dental treatments, as it offers a grayer and less aesthetic appearance. It is a type of porcelain, which can be applied to the infrastructure of prosthetics.
Zirconia provides a more natural result, as the material is translucent and therefore resembles the color of your teeth. Thus, there is no presence of shadows, as happens in prosthetics that use metal, which makes the patient's smile more harmonious and aesthetically beautiful.
When is it recommended to have a zirconia implant?
Dental implants with zirconia are indicated for several clinical cases, and are also combined with other techniques, such as porcelain veneers and dental contact lenses. In general, this technique is recommended for these dental treatments:
- Bruxism (the habit of involuntarily grinding your teeth);
- gingivitis (gum infection);
- teething accidents;
- poor care of the tooth structure.
The material, nowadays, is a star in offices, due to its versatility and the possibility of bringing a better appearance to the mouth, especially after the tooth has darkened due to root canal treatments or dental trauma, with great loss of function and aesthetics. dental.
What are the main benefits of zirconia?
Having an implant with a zirconia prosthesis offers several benefits to the patient, as the material is very safe and comfortable in the mouth. Below, we will mention the main advantages of using this material in implant dentistry.
- biocompatible material: zirconia is biocompatible with the human body and, therefore, the patient does not run the risk of suffering from allergies or rejection;
- high durability: it is a very resistant material, so it can last for many years;
- aesthetically beautiful: it aims to replace metal, which provides a more pleasant result;
- comfortable: metal tends to leave a taste in the mouth, which does not happen with zirconia. Furthermore, the material does not conduct heat, which reduces hypersensitivity in the teeth;
- hypoallergenic: does not cause allergies, which are common problems with metal prostheses;
- improves oral health: zirconia prostheses prevent infiltrations due to tooth decay;
- efficient alternative in specific cases: when the patient does not have enough bone to have a dental implant, zirconia becomes the best option;
- color stability: does not stain or change tone over the years, as happens with materials such as resin.
Therefore, talk to your trusted dentist and see if it is feasible to have an implant with a zirconia prosthesis, knowing, from now on, the qualities of the product for this type of dental technique.
Are there any contraindications for zirconia implants?
The zirconia implant has almost no contraindications, and is even recommended for cases of metal allergy, as the piece is made with white material, which has the same function as the metal part of the prosthesis. However, the technique is not recommended for patients with these characteristics:
- People with chronic illnesses;
- patients diagnosed with diabetes;
- children or people who do not have fully developed teeth;
- patients who use bisphosphonate medications, which prevent the decrease in the mineral density of the body's bones, to treat osteoporosis, for example.
On the other hand, some characteristics must be evaluated by the dentist before recommending the use of dental prosthesis with zirconia. This is the case with excessive exposure of the gums when opening the mouth, the strength of the chewing muscles, the amount of bone available for the implant and the patient's ability to clean their mouths.
How is zirconia used in implantology?
Zirconia is used both for the manufacture of prostheses and as an implant, that is, it can replace the titanium post. In the first case, the dentist performs the surgery, fixes the titanium post in the patient's jaw and finishes with the zirconia prosthesis.
In the second case, instead of using a titanium implant, material made from zirconia is used. It has the same shape and proportions as the titanium screw, only the raw material is different.
However, unlike titanium implants, in which the treatment uses two different pieces, in procedures where the entire implant is made with zirconia, a single piece is made, that is, the post and the artificial tooth are the same component.
The advantage of this material is the aesthetic gain, because when the patient suffers from receding gums and the roots of the teeth are exposed, the beauty of the smile is not affected as much. This is because the zirconia implant is similar to the color of teeth, so people do not realize that it is an implant.
In the case of gingival retraction, when the patient has a titanium implant, the posts will be exposed, which leaves the aesthetics of the smile quite compromised.
What are the main differences between implants with zirconia prostheses and other types?
Like every type of dental treatment, an implant with a zirconia prosthesis offers advantages and disadvantages. The recommendation of the material to be used depends on the patient's specific case, and only the dentist can say which is the best option, after carrying out a complete analysis of the individual's clinical condition. This is because there are differences between zirconia and other materials, which will be mentioned below. Check it out!
Price
As the titanium implant is used much more than the zirconia implant, its production cost tends to be lower in the office. This factor directly influences the price of the treatment, which is more affordable compared to the zirconia implant, generally carried out with cutting-edge technology and specialized professionals.
Integration of the implant into the body
Both titanium and zirconia are biocompatible and, therefore, integrate easily with the bone in which they were implanted. The difference is that there is a lot of research on the use of titanium, while studies on implants with this new material are still limited. However, clinical experience already shows the safety and comfort associated with the zirconia technique.
Aesthetics
Although titanium implants provide a very aesthetic result, there are patients who are concerned about the appearance of gray gum lines. In this case, replacing titanium with zirconia significantly improves this situation, leaving the patient more confident regarding the aesthetics of the treatment.
Lower risk of gum inflammation
Dental implants increase the risk of plaque and tartar buildup, which causes gum infections. Therefore, the oral hygiene of those who have implants must be more careful.
However, some experts say that because zirconia implants are made from a single piece that includes the root and artificial teeth, the risk of plaque buildup is lower, making brushing and flossing after dental treatments easier after meals.
Durability
In terms of durability, both titanium (light transition metal, strong element and resistant to corrosion) and zirconia (gem that resembles diamond, due to its resistance and shiny appearance) are quite resistant. However, many experts highlight that zirconia has lower elasticity when compared to titanium alloy.
Technique for fixing implants
As the zirconia implant is made from a single piece, the dentist must be more careful when performing the surgery to fix the artificial tooth. Unlike titanium posts, zirconia implants cannot be completely buried in the gums.
These are the advantages of implants with zirconia prostheses. For the treatment to provide satisfactory results, however, it is necessary to have a good professional and, above all, follow all the dentist's recommendations during the post-operative period.
