Hello,
I’m in my sixties now and I’ve always had really good oral health. However, these last couple of years I have lost a couple back teeth on each side. I have been considering dental implants. But, I have a bit of a complication because I am allergic to metal. It is extremely severe. So, I’m looking for a metal-free dentist that uses an alternative to metal for dental implants. When I say severe, I mean I’m allergic to nickel, cobalt, and mercury. I literally cannot even wear close with metal buttons or zippers. Some clothes contain metal in the threads and I react to those too. Is this a lost cause?
I guess my hope is that you are aware of some non-metal solution that would give me my teeth back.
-Patricia
Patricia,
There are some suitable options available for metal-free dental implants.
You may be surprised to learn that nickel allergies are actually pretty common. Also, may patients cannot have cobalt in their dental restorations. Have you considered a titanium dental implant?
Titanium is a biocompatible and a great option for those with metal sensitivities and allergies. Since you have such an extreme allergy, it would be wise to see your allergist and be tested for a titanium allergy. This will help rule out any complications with your dental implants.
If you are absolutely not comfortable with titanium dental implants for whatever reason, you should begin looking for an implant dentist that is experienced with zirconia implants. Zirconia is an extremely strong ceramic material. Zirconia dental implants are technically the only metal-free dental implant option that I’m aware of. It may take some extra research and appointments to find the right implant dentist near you and it may require traveling to a nearby city.
However, your search will pay off when you find the right implant dentist to give your confidence back again. And implants will function just like your natural teeth.
Thank you for your question.
This post is sponsored by Petaluma dentist Rick Lane.