When we say dental implants, the first option that comes to mind is a titanium implant. While ceramics are gaining popularity, titanium is still the preferred choice of most dental health professionals. However, not all titanium implants are created equal – there are quite a few different types of titanium implants. Learn about your options so you can be better prepared when you visit your Charlotte, NC, dentist for a consultation.
What Is a Titanium Implant?
Titanium implants are one of the most efficient ways to replace missing teeth. This is the most widely used dental implant type. Even though ceramic implants have gained popularity in recent years, titanium stands as the most suitable choice for the majority of patients who need an artificial tooth.
Titanium implants are endosteal anchors that are attached to the jawbone. They fuse with the bone tissue in a process called osseointegration, creating a stable structure to which an abutment is attached. On top of the abutment goes a crown, resulting in a stable and aesthetically pleasing dental implant. Titanium implants have been a standard of care for about 65 years now, and there is an endless amount of research attesting to their quality, durability, and safety.
The Properties of Titanium That Make It So Suitable for Dental Implants
Titanium is a highly biocompatible metal. What does that mean? It can integrate seamlessly with the bone and gum tissue without causing any adverse reactions – the human body doesn’t recognize it as a foreign body, so it doesn’t rebel against it. In other words, there aren’t inflammatory, immune, or allergic reactions to titanium. However, we must note that a very low percentage of the population can be allergic to this metal – for them, ceramic implants are the only viable option.
Titanium is also quite strong and durable. Implants made of this material can withstand the everyday challenges of chewing and biting without the risk of fracturing. Plus, they can last up to 25 years. You also don’t need to worry about the metal releasing any harmful substances into the surrounding tissue, and there is no risk of corrosion, even with prolonged exposure to food and saliva.
What Are the Types of Titanium Implants?
The types of titanium used for implants can be divided into two large groups. The first one consists of unalloyed, commercially pure titanium implants – they are 98-99.9% pure titanium. The second one includes titanium alloys, compounds made of titanium and several other elements with the goal of increasing the implant’s strength and durability. Let’s explore these implant types in detail.
Commercially Pure Titanium Implants
Commercially pure titanium implants, or CPTi, are extremely biocompatible, fuse with the bone tissue without any trouble, and are very resistant to corrosion. This group consists of Grade 1 to Grade 4 titanium implants, although we must note that Grade 4 is considered a conditionally pure titanium implant. The grades differ in Oxygen and Iron content – as their contents increase from Grade 1 to 4, so do the mechanical properties of the chemical compounds.
Titanium Alloy Implants
Titanium alloy implants are created by adding Vanadium and Aluminium, as well as several other elements in lower percentages. Providers of general dentistry in Charlotte, NC, use the Titanium-Aluminum-Vanadium alloys Grade 5 and Grade 23. There are many others, but those aren’t suitable for dental implants. Grade 5 and Grade 23 seem quite similar, but there are several distinctions.
- Grade 5 – This one is the most commonly used titanium alloy, and it’s stronger than Grades 1-4. It’s also referred to as Ti-6Al-4V because it contains 6% Aluminium (variations can be from 5.5-6.75%) and 4% Vanadium (with variations between 3.5-4.5%).
- Grade 23 – Considered superior when it comes to biocompatibility compared to Grade 5, Grade 23 is also known as Ti-6Al-4V-ELI. It also contains 6% Aluminium (5.5-6.5%) and 4% Vanadium (3.5-4.5%). The ELI stands for Extra Low Interstitial. It’s used for various types of medical implants, not just dental ones. It has better ductility but reduced strength compared to Grade 5 due to a reduction in Oxygen and Iron percentages.
What Are the Benefits of Titanium Implants?
Besides its biocompatibility and osseointegrational properties, there are several other reasons you should get dental implants made of titanium. While ceramic dental implants have their benefits, titanium still holds the first place as the go-to option for most patients. Plus, not every dentist in Charlotte, NC, offers ceramic implants.
There has been substantial research done on the effectiveness and safety of titanium implants in the last 60 years, so we can confidently say that these are a safe choice. They will last you up to 25 years with proper care and maintenance, and they are significantly cheaper than ceramic implants – a titanium implant costs about $300 less than a ceramic one.
This might not sound like much when you only need one implant, but for patients in need of several implants, this makes a world of difference. Our Charlotte dentist in South Park can attest to that.
Need a Dental Implant? Schedule a Consultation With Aspire Dental Wellness
Are you looking for ways to restore your smile? A missing tooth can drastically affect confidence, but there’s no reason to struggle with this issue. Our team at Aspire Dental Wellness can introduce you to the world of possibilities that come with getting dental implants. Trust our experienced professionals, led by the amazing Dr. Sladjana Bjelac, to guide you through this dental journey. Contact us today and schedule your initial consultation.
