What Are Dental Implants Made Of?

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Sun, 15 Jun 2025 20:58:14 +0000
Dental Implant

Did you know that over 3 million Americans currently have dental implants? The popularity of this medical marvel has significantly impacted the quality of life for many people. Dental implants offer a modern miracle to the everyday dental patient, providing a solution to missing teeth, tooth decay, or tooth rot that impacts everything from chewing and speaking to daily comfort.

First, it’s essential to understand the type of dental implant you may need. Your dental implant depends on your unique medical and dental needs. To begin, your dentist will need to evaluate several factors to inform this decision. For example, they will need to conduct an overall health assessment and take a medical history to ensure you don’t have any allergies and that you don’t grind your teeth or clench your jaw. They will assess if a tooth extraction or bone graft might be needed in the surgical process. And, finally, talk you through any aesthetic concerns or lifestyle factors that might be important to address for your future dental implants.

Your dental care team will also assess implant surface treatments to promote faster healing, ensure corrosion resistance, and determine whether mini or small-diameter implants are best suited for you. This is why it’s crucial to have a dental team that understands your unique complexities and concerns about your dental future.

The Different Types of Tooth Implants

Once assessed, your dental professional will select the best treatment options for you. There are two primary materials used for implant posts: titanium and zirconium.

The most used are titanium dental implants; today, about 93% of U.S. dental implants are made of this material. Established in the 1960s, they are trusted and have a proven track record of decades of clinical success to support their practice. Titanium implants offer a high success rate and exceptional durability, ensuring your new teeth last for a long time. This metal is a biocompatible material, meaning it integrates naturally with the body, and the implant fuses directly with the jawbone.

Titanium implants typically include a titanium post that serves as an artificial tooth root, an abutment that connects the post to the final restoration, and a dental crown that mimics the appearance and function of a natural tooth. These dental implant materials (i.e., titanium alloy) are chosen for their strength, stability, and long-term success in supporting single or multiple tooth replacements.

Over the past few years, zirconia implants have emerged as a more “holistic” and popular alternative for patients who are seeking non-metal dental implants. These implants are made from zirconium dioxide, a strong ceramic material. In addition to the more holistically concerned patients, patients with metal allergies are excellent candidates to ensure no allergic reactions take hold with their implants.

Zirconia implants are often manufactured as one-piece constructions, though newer two-piece zirconia implants are also available for greater prosthetic flexibility.

While these ceramic implants show promising success rates for dental restorations, they may be more brittle than titanium and are typically recommended for specific cases under the guidance of an experienced implant specialist. Long-term clinical data is expanding but still not as extensive as that of titanium implants.

With proper care and regular dental cleanings, patients can enjoy hassle-free dental care for years with both of these options.

Considering Dental Implant Surgery?

The first step is a personalized consultation if you’re exploring cosmetic dentistry to restore your smile and confidence. Our experienced dental clinic will help determine whether titanium or zirconia implants are best suited to your specific health needs and preferences.

We want to ensure you have a good option that eases you into the healing process and surprises you with no adverse effects. We’re here to be your dental care team- schedule your appointment today to take the next step toward lasting oral health and a beautiful smile.