zirconia implants Archives | Poplar Crossing Dental

I want to replace a tooth but it is toward the front of my smile. Because of that, I am hoping to get some advice. My dentist mentioned something I want to double check. He said if the porcelain crown were fused to a white metal or gold, than there won’t be a gray/black line. Is that accurate? Second, can you tell me the best brand of dental implants to use? Also, as to the type of implant. One dentist told me that zirconia was not strong enough. So, should I stick with titanium?

Carl

Dear Carl,

While I can tell that you are being very careful about this and trying to do due diligence with your research, I’d like to switch the way you are going about it. Before that, though, I do want to correct one thing your dentist said. If you fuse porcelain to metal, any kind of metal, even gold, it will eventually get that gray/black line. You will want an all-porcelain crown. That is plenty strong for your front teeth. I’m not sure why your dentist was trying to talk you into a metal-based one.

Doing research is a good thing. However, you won’t learn enough about all the brands of dental implants available in order to make those type of decisions. What you should be researching is the training of the dentist. Unfortunately, implant dentistry is not a recognized specialty. Because of that, any dentist can place implants. However, this is an advanced procedure that can cause a lot of problems when it is not done properly.

I would research the dentist’s training. Dental school is not adequate training. They really do need some post-doctoral training at a reputable institution. Some good ones are the Dawson Academy, the Las Vegas Academy of Advanced Dental studies, and the Pankey Institute. There are a few others as well, but this should be enough to help you find someone with the skills to do the procedure correctly.

Find the right dentist and they will know which brand works best for your particular case.

One last thing, zirconia is strong enough for dental implants. You can actually use either one. It’s possible the dentist who told you they weren’t isn’t as familiar with them because they are newer.

This blog is brought to you by Hoffman Estates Dentist Dr. William Becker.

I have been unwell for a while now. I had some allergy testing done as a last resort. It turns out I’m allergic to nickel and mercury. I have some dental work that has both of those things in them with my fillings. I think I should have them removed. But, my bigger problem is that I need to replace a tooth. I want to get it replaced with a dental implant. However, I understand they are made of metal. Is it possible for me to replace my teeth with an implant or do I need something else?

Paul

Dear Paul,

I am glad that you figured out what allergies you have. That will be a big help in getting you on the right track to feeling better. In your case, I would definitely get the amalgam fillings replaced. However, when you do it, you’ll want to be careful. Make sure you get it replaced by someone who understands the correct procedure, known as a sanitary amalgam removal. Otherwise, you risk inhaling or swallowing some mercury. This is especially important with your allergy. In your place, I would either see a mercury-free dentist or a holistic dentist. Both should know the right procedure.

As for your other metal allergies, they shouldn’t interfere with your desire to replace your tooth with a dental implant. This is because dental implants are made with titanium, which is highly biocompatible. It’s been used for decades in prosthetics. You shouldn’t have any problem with it as a tooth replacement.

If you are concerned about an allergy to the titanium, you have a couple of options. The first is to have an allergy test specifically for titanium to make certain. The second is to see a dentist who offers the option of zirconia dental implants. These are metal-free so you shouldn’t have any problems with your allergies. However, they are newer and not very many dentists use them.

This blog is brought to you by Hoffman Estates Dentist Dr. William Becker.

Best Options for Dental Implants & Crowns

Metal Allergies, Dental Implants, and Mercury Free Fillings