Both zirconia and titanium are excellent materials for dental implants. Both have their advantages and disadvantages when compared side by side. That depends on a variety of factors, including cost, proximity to a dentist who uses that material often, personal preference, local weather conditions, and several other factors. Zirconia vs titanium implants is both excellent options for dental implant patients. Each has unique properties that make it better in some scenarios than others. Understanding these two materials will help you choose which one is right for you and your individual situation.
What is a zirconia implant?
Zirconia is a synthetic crystalline ceramic. It is a hybrid of zirconium oxide and other materials that have properties that make it useful as an implant material. The physical properties of zirconia make it a great choice for dental implants. It has very high strength and toughness, as well as fracture toughness, which means it is difficult to break.
Zirconia also has very good wear resistance, so it can withstand the normal rubbing against the bone that occurs over time. It also has excellent biocompatibility, which means that it is unlikely to trigger an immune response or irritation in the mouth. Zirconia implant is also very predictable in terms of its properties.It is easy to manipulate into the correct shape and size for dental implants, and its properties do not vary significantly from one batch to another.
What is a titanium implant?
Titanium is an element that is naturally occurring and found in air, water, and soil. It is also used in alloys, or mixtures of metals, including dental implant alloys. Titanium is combined with other metals like nickel, chromium, or cobalt to create a harder but still biocompatible and corrosion-resistant product.
Zirconium is the most common addition to create a titanium dental implant alloy. Titanium alloys have excellent corrosion resistance and high strength, but they are also very rigid. This makes them easier to drill and place in the mouth, but it also means that they will not bend and conform as well to the shape of the bone.
How are zirconia and titanium implants different?
Zirconia can be slightly more expensive than titanium because it is slightly harder to work with, which means it takes longer for the dentist. The difference, however, is often negligible. However, the price of the materials is only part of the equation. When comparing the cost of treatment, you also need to factor in the cost of the dentist and their payment terms.
You may also have to travel farther to see a dentist who uses this material, which can result in additional travel costs. You also have to consider the lifetime of the implant. Both materials have been used in implants for years and have very good long-term results. That said, zirconia lasts a little longer, which means it will require replacement a little later in life.
Who should get which type of implant?
One of the biggest determinants of which implant material is best for you is your oral health. Patients with less-than-ideal oral health are more likely to have complications and need more invasive procedures. These patients are more likely to be candidates for zirconia implants, whereas patients with healthy mouths may do better with a titanium implant. Oral health is not the only factor, however. Other factors include the proximity to a dentist who does a lot of dental implant work with one material or the other.
Titanium or Zirconia implant
The biggest difference between zirconia and titanium implants is in how long they last. Both materials have excellent long-term survival rates, but zirconia implants last a little longer before they need to be replaced. If you are in a high-humidity area, this difference in implant lifetime may matter more. Zirconia implants are more susceptible to corrosion in high-humidity environments. Because weather conditions vary so much around the world. This may be the most important factor in choosing an implant material.
Summing it up
Overall, both zirconia and titanium dental implants are excellent materials when used in the right situations. The best implant material for you will depend on your particular situation and the dental materials used by your local dentist. Zirconia is more brittle, so it is easier to work with for the dentist. Zirconia is also more likely to corrode in high-humidity environments, which means it may not be ideal for people who live in humid areas. Titanium is harder to work with, but it is less susceptible to corrosion in high-humidity environments. These factors, along with cost and travel considerations, will help you decide which implant material is best for you.
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