The popularity of zirconia implants has been on the rise – in recent years, more patients have become curious about this type of dental implant. So, what is a zirconia implant, and how does it compare to the long-established titanium option? While zirconia has gained attention in modern dentistry, titanium implants remain the trusted standard we provide at Aspire Dental Wellness. Let’s review what zirconia implants are and explain why titanium implants remain the preferred choice of our dentist in Charlotte, NC.
Understanding the Basics of Implants
Are you still pondering whether you should get dental implants? There are a lot of things to consider, and when it comes to dental implants, there are two primary materials you’ll hear about – zirconia and titanium. Both are designed to replace missing or severely damaged teeth, but they differ in composition, appearance, and long-term performance. Understanding how zirconia and titanium implants compare can help you make an informed decision about which option best suits your needs.
What Is a Zirconia Implant?
A zirconia dental implant is a small dental device used to replace missing or severely damaged teeth – it’s one of the main types of dental implants. The name comes from a material that the implant is made of, zirconia. As opposed to traditional titanium implants, zirconia implants aren’t made of metal.
Zirconia is actually zirconium dioxide, a white crystalline oxide. So, while zirconium is a metal (and can be commonly confused with zirconia), zirconium dioxide is a ceramic material. That’s why you will often find the term ceramic implants being used synonymously with zirconia dental implants.
What Is a Titanium Implant?
Titanium implants are the traditional and most widely used type of dental implant. Unlike zirconia, titanium is a biocompatible metal (which means lower risk of bacterial infections such as tooth abscesses) that has been studied for decades and is known for its strength, durability, and high success rate. Titanium implants typically come in two pieces, which gives dentists greater flexibility in treatment planning and allows for easier adjustments during dental implant surgery.
Thanks to their proven track record, titanium implants are considered the gold standard in implant dentistry. Making them the most reliable long-term solution for replacing missing teeth and the type of implant we proudly provide at Aspire Dental Wellness.
Zirconia Implants Vs. Titanium Implants – The Benefits
When comparing zirconia and titanium dental implants, each material comes with its own set of advantages. Zirconia is often chosen for its aesthetic appeal and metal-free composition, while titanium has earned its reputation as the most reliable and widely used option in implant dentistry. To help you understand which one is more worth it, let’s look at the main benefits of each.
| Feature | Zirconia Implants | Titanium Implants |
| Material | Ceramic (zirconium dioxide), metal-free | Biocompatible metal alloy |
| Proven Track Record | Relatively new, less long-term research | Decades of clinical studies with consistently high success rates |
| Durability | Strong but more prone to fracture under heavy bite pressure | Extremely durable, highly resistant to breakage |
| Flexibility | Usually a one-piece design, less adaptable | Two-piece design allows more surgical and restorative flexibility |
| Osseointegration | Good bone integration, but less studied long term | Excellent bone integration the gold standard in dentistry |
| Aesthetics | Tooth-colored, blends naturally, especially with thin gums | Metallic core, may show in cases of severe gum recession |
| Biocompatibility | Hypoallergenic, no risk of metal sensitivity | Highly biocompatible, rare cases of sensitivity |
| Cost | Generally higher due to newer tech | More affordable and widely available |
| Availability | Limited availability depending on the clinic | Universally available and widely recommended |
Overall, zirconia implants can be a good option for patients who value a metal-free, tooth-colored solution, but they remain relatively new with limited long-term data. Titanium implants, on the other hand, have decades of proven success, greater durability, and more flexibility for dentists to achieve the best results. This is why titanium is still considered the gold standard in implant dentistry and the type of implant our dentist in Charlotte confidently recommends for lasting smiles.
What Is the Downside to Zirconia Dental Implants?
While zirconia implants offer certain advantages, they also come with a few drawbacks that patients should consider. Because zirconia is a newer technology, there is less long-term research available compared to titanium, which has been trusted for decades. Even though the price of dental implant services varies, Zirconia implants are also more expensive due to higher production costs, and their one-piece design gives dentists less flexibility during treatment. In some cases, they may even be more prone to fracture under heavy bite pressure.
Titanium implants, on the other hand, avoid these limitations. With a proven track record, excellent durability, and greater surgical adaptability, titanium remains the gold standard in implant dentistry and the type of implant we proudly provide at Aspire Dental Wellness. So, when you want to get dental implants in Charlotte, NC, we will gladly help you out by offering the best solution.
Consult Your Charlotte, NC, Dentist About Dental Implants
If you’ve been researching zirconia implants, it’s important to understand how they compare with titanium – the material that has been trusted for decades as the gold standard in implant dentistry. At Aspire Dental Wellness, Dr. Bjelac takes the time to explain your options and recommend the solution best suited for long-term success.
While zirconia can be appealing for its aesthetics, titanium implants consistently deliver unmatched durability, flexibility, and proven results. That’s why our practice proudly provides titanium implants to patients seeking a lasting, reliable way to restore their smiles.
Contact Aspire Dental Wellness today to schedule your consultation and take the first step toward a healthy, confident smile with titanium implants.
