I have two dental implants and need a third. Both the previous dental implants are titanium. I recently read online that the titanium implants have negative neurological effects. I’m thinking because of that I should get one of the zirconia implants. However, I’m also wondering if I should remove the earlier implants and switch them to the zirconia. What do you think?
Brandi
Dear Brandi,
If you don’t mind giving me your source material for that article, I would love to see their evidence for that. My guess is they don’t really have any or are using scientifically invalid data. The truth is traditional dental implants, made from titanium, have been used for decades and is proven as biocompatible.
As for whether or not zirconia is better, we don’t have enough data for that yet. I’m not saying they aren’t. Just that the zirconia implants are fairly new and we don’t have any way of knowing their longevity yet. They may last just as long. Only time will tell.
If you want to get the zirconia implant this time that would be fine. Not all dentists do them yet, but you will have more success with a metal-free dentist. As for switching out the ones you already have, it is more than just a matter of taking out the titanium implants and then putting in the zirconia ones. First, when the old ones are taken out, there will be a gap in the bone structure. You will need to have bone grafted in so new implants can be retained.
Then, after your bone grafting procedure is done, it will be time for the surgery for the new zirconia implants. That is a large expense for dental implants that are not having any problems. My suggestion is you leave them unless there is a problem. However, it is your money and your mouth. You are welcome to do with it what you want.
This blog is brought to you by Hoffman Estates Dentist Dr. William Becker.