Metal free Dentist Archives | Williams Family Dentistry

Dentist Placed My Implant Knowing It Would Fail

Posted on December 10, 2025 by writeradmin.

Before my dental implant was placed, my dentist told me that everything was okay and ready to go. When I woke up from the procedure, he told me that there was not enough bone structure for the implant to last long. Here is the part that puzzles me. He placed it anyway. He’s now recommending that I remove it because it is going to fail and then get a dental bridge. Should I have to pay for the implant if it is being removed? Plus, I’m guessing there is going to be another fee for the removal procedure. I was really looking forward to a dental implant and getting a dental bridge feels like a step down. Is there any way to still get an implant or is that too big an ask?

Greg

Dear Greg,

I’m baffled as to how your dentist thinks this is acceptable in any way. Here are my problems with the treatment you’ve received. First, if he’d done adequate diagnostics before the procedure he would have known that there was not enough bone and suggested you have bone grafting done in order to ensure you have a successful procedure.

Second, once he was in there and realized that there wasn’t enough bone, placing the implant anyway was unethical. What he should have done was close you back up and let you know what was going on. From there you could have either moved forward with some bone grafting or got a dental bridge instead, depending on which tooth replacement you decided to go with.

To answer your question, no, you should not have to pay for a procedure he did knowing it would not work. That would be like someone selling you a refrigerator that salesman knew would not keep food cold. You’d definitely get your money back for that, right?

Unless there is something else unusual going on, you could still get a dental implant. I would not allow this dentist to do it, though. It does not feel like you are in the best hands. I would ask for a full refund and look for a dentist with post-doctoral training in dental implants. As an aside, these days you can even get metal free dental work, including for implants.

This blog is brought to you by a friendly dentist in Lexington, KY Dr. James Williams.

Should I Replace My Metal Implants with Zirconia?

Posted on August 4, 2025 by writeradmin.

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.

Dentist Won’t Give My Zirconia Implants

Posted on May 29, 2023 by writeradmin.

I really want a zirconia implant but my dentist said they are not as reliable as the titanium implants. I have some pretty bad metal allergies so the zirconia sounds much safer to me. One of the things that puzzles me about this is I am the one taking the risk. Shouldn’t he allow me to get the one I want anyway?

Cheyenne

Dear Cheyenne,

Dentists are not bound to do any procedures. It is completely up to them. The good news is that if they are not meeting your needs, there are many other dentists who are perfectly capable of taking their place. I am not certain why he said that the zirconia dental implants are not as safe as the titanium. Zirconia is certainly strong enough. In fact, it has been dubbed ceramic steel.

The only thing I can think of is that there is not as much research on the longevity of the zirconia implants. However, this does not indicate inferiority. It simply means it has not been around as long so we don’t have the data. If you are a good candidate for dental implants in general, you can have zirconia implants.

I suggest that you look for a metal free dentist or a holistic dentist. They will be more open to this newer material. Bear in mind, you still want to check their dental implant credentials. It is not a procedure adequately taught in dental school, so you will want a dentist who has invested in some post doctoral training in dental implants.

One thing to be aware of is the inert quality of the titanium implants. Even though you have other metal allergies, it is very unlikely that you will be allergic to titanium. It is one of the most biocompatible metals there are and has been used for decades as prothetics. So, you have a couple of options. You can go ahead and find someone to do the zirconia allergies, or you can have the titanium. If you are super worried about an allergy, you can be tested for that specific allergy.

This blog is brought to you by Lexington, KY Dentist Dr. John Weaver.

Titanium Allergy

Posted on February 10, 2022 by writeradmin.

Can you help me? I have recently been diagnosed with a titanium allergy. I have had three crowns placed and have had a dull ache since then. Is it possible I have a titanium post and that is contributing to the dull ache? When my dentist looked at it he said everything looks fine. But, it doesn’t feel fine. I don’t know what to do?

Adina

Dear Adina,

I’m sorry about your titanium allergy. It is a rare allergy (<4%) and too many dentists just write off allergies and sensitivities altogether. Generally, a post is not placed in a crown unless you have had a root canal treatment. This is to help retain the build-up material that is used to retain the crown, sort of like beams and cement in a home. If these crowns are from a root canal treatment, I would start by asking your dentist what material your post was made from. There should be a record in your file listing what type of post was used.

It used to be that the posts were all pretty much stainless steel, but between 10-20% of people have an allergy to nickel, which is in stainless steel. Because of that, many dentists switched to using titanium posts because they are much more biocompatible.

If your post is made from titanium, then yes, that could be contributing to your dull ache. Other things for your dentist to look into are the occlusion of this crown and also whether your crown is made from any metal. If you find it hard to get your dentist to take this seriously then you can go to a holistic dentist. They are much more open to considering the whole body and not just the teeth.

One other thing. If you ever end up needing a tooth replacement and want to get a dental implant, there are now options to the titanium implants. Tell your dentist you want the zirconia implants. These are metal-free.

This blog is brought to you by Lexington, KY Dentist Dr. John Weaver.

Dental Implants with a Metal Allergy

Posted on October 17, 2021 by writeradmin.

I am starting to get up there in years. Recently, I have lost a couple of back teeth. I live in terror of losing a front tooth. I don’t want to be one of those people who wears dentures. The problem I face is that I have some serious metal allergies. After some testing, it turns out I am allergic to nickel, cobalt, and tin. Is there any chance I could still have a dental implant? Do they make metal-free dental implants?

Chauncie

Dear Chauncie,

I am sorry about your recent tooth loss. That is always discouraging. I have good news for you. In fact, double good news for you. First, we’ll start with traditional dental implants. These are made from titanium. Not only was it not listed on your allergies, but it is one of the most bio-compatible metals around. It has been used for decades in prosthetics. Not just with dental implants, but also things like hip replacements. There is very little chance you would have any reaction to these. However, you could always get tested specifically for titanium just to be certain.

The second bit of good news is your second option. There are metal-free dental implants these days. Now, there is a zirconia option. This is very strong and will serve you well if you go that way. The only obstacle you may face is that not as many dentists offer this option. It is not because it is inferior, but more because we do not have as much data on its longevity. That is because they have not been around as long.

If you decide to go with the metal-free option, you may have to do some searching. I would start by looking for a holistic dentist. They are much more willing to work around patient’s allergies. Just be certain they also have post-doctoral training in dental implants. That is very importnat.

This blog is brought to you by Lexington, KY Dentist Dr. John Weaver.

Dentist Wants to Wait for My Nerves to Settle Down to Help

Posted on September 30, 2021 by writeradmin.

I had three dental crowns placed and they have been irritating me ever since. They are pressing on my gums and feel bulky. I recently read that porcelain fused to metal crowns can cause problems. These are the type she placed for me. Plus, I really want to go metal-free. However, when I asked her to remove and replace them with zirconia crowns she said she needed to wait until my nerves have calmed down. Is this really necessary?

Candace

Dear Candance,

Your dentist is really struggling with her field. There is no reason to wait until your nerves calm down to resolve this. The pressing of the crowns on your gums is what is irritating the nerves. Waiting only prolongs that. Removing the crowns, relieves that. I don’t think the fact that your crown is a porcelain fused to metal crown is the actual problem here. When a crown is fitted properly, you do not notice it is there at all. It’s just like another tooth. What the metal base will do is cause the crown to be more opaque, which lessens its natural look. Additionally, at some point down the line, you will develop an ugly gray line at your gumline. So, switching them out is a good idea.

If this is a front tooth, all-porcelain or zirconia crowns will work. If it is a back tooth, you will really need the zirconia for it to be strong enough to withstand your biting forces. It may be the zirconia that frightens her. This is a newer type of material to work with than she may be used to. My suggestion is go to another dentist to get this done. If you are wanting to go metal-free, I’d look for a holistic dentist.

This blog is brought to you by Lexington, KY Dentist Dr. John Weaver.

Dentist Insists on Titanium Implants

Posted on May 5, 2021 by writeradmin.

I want to get dental implants but I would like the zirconia ones. It is important to me that I don’t put metal in my body. However, my dentist says the titanium ones are better. Is that true?

Monica

Dear Monica,

There is a growing availability of metal free dental care.

I would not say that the titanium are better. It is more that they have been around longer and therefore we have more data on their longevity and potential side effects. There are some dentists that prefer to stick with what they know. You will be able to find a dentist who offers the zirconia. I would do an internet search for either a metal free dentist or a holistic dentist. Either one of them will be willing to give you zirconia implants.

The important thing will be that you find a dentist who has dental implant training. It won’t matter which kind you have if the procedure fails. You’ll want to be certain they have some post-doctoral training in placing implants.

I am not trying to sway you either way with which implants to use, but I wanted to clear a couple of things up that I hope will put your mind at ease. The first is about metal and your body. Our body naturally has metal in it. One major example is the iron you find in our blood. In fact, that is so important that is you don’t have enough iron, it can cause serious negative health effects, including heart failure.

As for titanium, it is one of the most biocompatible metals there are. We’ve been using it for decades for prosthetics. Not just dental implants, but things like hip replacements. It is very rare for someone to have a reaction to titanium.

This blog is brought to you by Lexington, KY Dentist Dr. John Weaver.

Are Zirconia Implants Radioactive?

Posted on March 26, 2021 by writeradmin.

I need to replace a tooth. I’ve been told that dental implants are the best replacement. However, I am having a hard time deciding. I’ve been told having metal in your dental work is bad for your body and planned on getting the zirconia implants, but now I’ve read that they may be radioactive. Is there any good choice in dental implants?

Monica

Dear Monica,

One of the problems with living in a litigious society is there are warnings for everything. The other day, a friend and I were putting up one of those car windshield shades and saw a note that said, “Warning: Do not drive with shade in window.” We just looked at each other and asked, “I wonder who was the idiot that made that warning necessary?”

When it comes to dental implants, you are actually safe no matter which type you get. The metal that affects most patients when it comes to dental care has more to do with patients that have metal allergies. The most common type of those allergies is nickel. The type of metal in traditional dental implants is titanium, which has been used for decades and is one of the most biocompatible materials available. Another common metal in dental work that people understandably want to avoid is mercury. This is found in those old silver fillings people used to get. While the American Dental Association still considers them safe, most dentists have switched to mercury-free composite fillings.

As far as zirconia goes, while there are trace amounts of radioactivity in them, it is actually around the same radioactivity you get in concrete and bricks. Even our drinking water has some radioactivity. My experience has been that most articles which bring up these type of frightening headlines are usually just clickbait. They need the clicks to justify their writing, so they try to scare people into reading their article.

If you don’t have any sensitivity to titanium, you may want to go the traditional implant route, simply because they have been around longer and we have more data on their longevity. But, honestly, you’ll be fine with either one. And, yes, dental implants are the best tooth replacement out there, so great choice!

This blog is brought to you by Lexington, KY Dentist Dr. Weaver.

Metal Allergies, Dentures, & Dental Implants

Posted on September 30, 2020 by writeradmin.

I lost my teeth due to an extended illness. I have a severe metal allergy so my dentist said I wouldn’t be a good candidate for dental implants because they are made of metal. I thought I’d be okay with dentures. Better dentures than nothing. Unfortunately, I’m just not adjusting to them well. The plate makes me gag. Most of the time I don’t even put them in. Is there a solution for someone in my position?

Candace

Dear Candace,

There is a growting availability of metal free dental care.

You said you have a dental allergy. Do you know if that allergy includes titanium? The metal in dental implants is strictly titanium, which is quite biocompatible. It’s been used in prosthetics for decades without problems. It may be your dentist is just uncomfortable placing dental implants and therefore steered you away from it.

Let’s say for argument’s sake that you are allergic to titanium. That doesn’t mean you cannot have dental implants. These days zirconia implants are available. Not every dentist is using them yet because they haven’t been around as long os the traditional titanium ones, but I’m certain you’ll be able to find a dentist who is placing them.

I’d do a search for a metal-free dentist or a holistic dentist. They are both dentists who’d be more willing in your situation.

A Word about Dentures

You aren’t alone in finding it difficult to deal with dentures. Many patients do. The good news about implant overdentures is you won’t have to worry about that gag reflex because there will no longer be a plate necessary. You didn’t mention how long you’ve been in dentures. That will have an impact on whether you can immediately have dental implants placed or if you’ll need an intermediary procedure, known as bone grafting. The longer you are in dentures, the more your jaw bone shrinks. Make sure whoever you see does all the necessary diagnostics, including a CT scan.

This blog is brought to you by Lexington, KY Dentist Dr. John WeaeLexington, KY Dentist

Finding a Dentist Who Understand Allergies

Posted on November 7, 2019 by writeradmin.

I was having a lot of problems with my health and after years of tests with no answers, I finally gave up on doctors and went to have special allergy testing done. It turns out I’m allergic to many metals and even some dental materials. The list includes I know I have allergies to dental cement, formaldehyde, cobalt, nickel, chromium, titanium, and many chemicals. How will I find a dentist who specializes in patients with these type of allergies?

Karyn

Dear Karyn,

You have been through a great deal. I know how frustrating it can be when you can’t get to the bottom of why you don’t feel well. You’ve really hung in there with great perseverance. While you won’t find a dentist who understands those specific types of allergies, I do have a solution for you.

What you need is a dentist who is willing to be creative and work around your dental allergies and metal sensitivities. You can often find this if you look for what is known as a biological dentist or holistic dentist. They work with your body and will be more willing to adapt the procedures you need to your body’s limitations.

Sanitary Amalgam Removal

Given your multiple allergies, one thing you may want to consider is removing any amalgam (silver) fillings. However, you’ll want the holistic dentist to do this. There is a special procedure, known as a sanitary amalgam removal, which will protect you from inhaling any of the mercury during the removal process. Then, your dentist can replace those with mercury-free composite fillings.

Titanium Allergies

Titanium is a rare allergy. The one area that could affect you in dental care is if you ever have to replace a tooth. Dental implants are the best tooth-replacement option. Most dentists use the traditional titanium dental implants. However, given you are allergic to them, you will instead need to find a dentist who will use the zirconia implants. These are strong enough, but they have been in use for less time so not all dentists are using them yet. Look for a metal-free dentist in that case. Hopefully, you’ll never have to replace a tooth, but if it happens I wanted you aware of your options.

This blog is brought to you by Lexington, KY Dentist Dr. John Weaver.