Did you know that more than 26 million Americans have no teeth and that the prevalence of tooth loss increases with age? Age aside, if you have multiple missing teeth, ongoing dental problems, or are experiencing poor oral health for any number of other reasons, you’re far from alone in seeking out a comfortable, attractive, long-lasting, and functional tooth replacement solution.
Dental implants check all of the boxes above and, increasingly, are the preferred treatment option for Americans needing to replace missing or damaged teeth. Permanent and beautiful, dental implants preserve facial structure; look, feel, and function just like natural teeth; and have an exceptionally high success rate (at Doctors Implants, our implant success rate exceeds 99%).
Choosing to undergo full mouth dental implant surgery is a major life decision and you should feel confident that you have a comprehensive understanding of the procedure before committing to it. That’s why, at Doctors Implants, we make it a priority to ensure that our patients have the opportunity to be personally educated by our leading Oral and Maxillofacial Surgeons prior to undergoing the 6 Hour Smile (our revolutionary, all-in-one implant process). Our free consultation appointment gives prospective patients a chance to meet our doctors, ask questions, and receive complete and thoughtful answers.
One of the most frequent patient questions our surgeons receive is: What are dental implants made of? In this post, we’ll explore the material options available for dental implants and why our highly experienced surgical team has confidently opted for the superior materials we have.
Construction of the Dental Implant
Before taking a deep dive into the materials used to construct dental implants, let’s start with an overview of dental implant anatomy. Though people may informally refer to their replacement teeth as implants, the true implant is actually just one out of three parts.
Also known as a post, the implant is a screw that is placed directly into the tissue of the jawbone. Functionally, it takes on the role that a tooth root would have in a natural tooth and is not visible in the mouth.
The abutment is a small connector that attaches the implant to the crown. It rests on the implant post and sits above the gum line.
The crown is the prosthetic tooth that is used for chewing, speaking, and providing facial structure. Crowns are visible in the mouth and are crafted to look and feel like natural teeth.
Common Dental Implant Materials
The two foremost materials used for dental implants are titanium and zirconia. At Doctors Implants, we use titanium implant posts and craft our crowns (prosthesis) out of zirconia–which is made from a durable, corrosion resistant, powdered ceramic material known as zirconium dioxide (see more in the section below).
Titanium Dental Implants
Titanium has long been the standard for dental implant posts (as well as for many orthopedic implant procedures) because of its biocompatibility—its unique ability to permanently bind with living bone and tissue. Strong, durable, and resistant to corrosion, titanium implants offer extraordinary stability and can last a lifetime.
Alternative Materials for Dental Implants
At Doctors Implants, our highly trained and experienced surgeons are committed to creating state-of-the-art dental implants made of titanium and zirconia. That being said, in your research you may also come across other dental implant materials such as:
Polymers
While biodegradable and aesthetically attractive, polymer materials such as polymethacrylate do not offer the same level of strength and durability as zirconia for prosthetic teeth.
Ceramics
Ceramics are sometimes used in dental implants, but their brittle properties also make them an inferior alternative to zirconia.
Other Frequently Asked Questions
How long do dental implants last?
The dental implant (the part that is placed directly into the jawbone) is the longest lasting component of dental implants and can last a lifetime. Prosthetic teeth (crowns) can also last a lifetime with proper care.
What are full arch dental implants?
Full arch dental implants refer to implants that replace all of the teeth on either the upper or lower jaw. At Doctors Implants we offer full arch dental implants (top or bottom) as well as full mouth dental implants (both top and bottom).
Will jaw bone loss impact my chances of getting dental implants?
Jaw bone loss can be a factor in the success of dental implants, but at Doctors Implants our skilled and experienced Oral and Maxillofacial Surgeons are able to provide implants for most patients who have been turned away from other surgeons due to bone loss. We’ve never turned a patient away due to bone loss!
The Future of Dental Implants
At Doctors Implants, we believe that we are the future of full mouth dental implants! With more and more patients seeking quick and cutting-edge dental implant procedures, our 6 Hour Smile is a standout option developed by leading Oral and Maxillofacial Surgeons that has been perfected thousands of times over.
When you opt for the 6 Hour Smile, you arrive for your dental implant procedure and leave six hours later with a completely new and radiant smile. At Doctors Implants, our surgeons and staff will treat you like family and be there to support and guide you every step of the way.
Each office is doctor owned, and Doctors Implants prides itself on extraordinary care that is 100% tailored to every patient.
Ready to learn more? Contact Doctors Implants today to set up your free consultation!
