I need to get a dental implant and learned about metal-free, ceramic ones. When I asked my dentist about ceramic dental implants, he said he only places the metal kind. Is it worth switching dentists to get the metal-free dental implants?
-Jacob in Michigan
Jacob,
Most dental implants are comprised of titanium because of their strength and durability. There are also implants that are made of titanium alloy. These types of dental implants fuse with the bone really well too. Therefore, dental implants with titanium are what most dentists prefer to use.
There are some metal-free dentists around that may offer ceramic dental implants. However, these typically aren’t required unless a patient has a metal allergy. In those cases, the patient may react to metals or have a metal sensitivity.
The big question – do you have a metal allergy? If so, then it does make sense to try to find another dentist that will do ceramic dental implants. Then, the next step would be to have an allergy test performed so you can pinpoint which metals you are allergic to.
But, if you aren’t allergic, you don’t need to be concerned with making the switch. The dental implants that contain metal will serve you just fine.
Another reason some patients are insistent on metal-free dental implants is for appearance reasons. In some cases, the metal can show through the porcelain and give it a dark look. If this is a concern, think about where the dental implant will be placed. If it is in the back of the mouth, it isn’t that big of a priority since it won’t be visible.
So, unless you have a metal allergy or concerns with titanium, you’ll be just fine using the dental implants that your current dentist is recommending.
Hopefully this helps you make an informed decision.
This post is sponsored by Dr. Lane, a dentist in Petaluma.