I have two dental implants that are made from titanium. I need another dental implant. I recently read an article online that titanium can cause neurological problems. I’m thinking I should get a zirconia implant this time. Are they a good replacement for the metal ones? If so, should I also replace the other two?
Amanda
Dear Amanda,
I’m not aware of any studies that show titanium causes neurological problems. It’s been used for decades not only in dental implants but also in prosthetics of all kinds, including hips. It is very biocompatible. I’d love for you to send me the article you read so I could read the studies they sited. If they didn’t site any legitimate scientific studies, then their article is probably just click bait. There is a lot of that online. Not every article you read is accurate.
There is nothing wrong with the zirconia dental implants if that is what you want for your new implant. However, I do not recommend that you switch your existing implants. It is not as simple as taking out the old implants and putting in new ones. Instead, the procedure that removes the implants will leave a hole in your jawbone. That bone needs to be replaced. Otherwise your new implants will fail. You’ll need a bone grafting procedure done in order to build back up your bone.
After that has had time to heal, you’ll need to then have another surgery to place the new implants. At each of those stages, something can go wrong. If you have stable implants, I’d leave them alone. You don’t want to risk dental implant failure when you already have great implants.
Some people reading this may wonder whether titanium or zirconia implants are better. There isn’t a great answer for this simply because zirconia is much newer and we don’t have long-term data yet. But, from what we know so far they are equal to the titanium. That could change as we gain more information.
Be aware that not all dentists will have the zirconia implants. Your best option would be to see a metal free dentist.
This blog is brought to you by Lexington, KY Dentist Dr. James Williams.