Do you know you can recover your old smile and confidence with dental implants? Yes, you read it right, if you are worried about your lost teeth then getting a dental implant is the best way to maintain your oral health. After getting the implant, you can confidently attend functions, parties, and social gatherings without worrying about your smile or discomfort.
If you have decided to go for the surgery then you should know about different materials of the implant, which material is best for you, and how the dental implant process is carried out. Here, we will discuss ceramic dental implants, what’s the procedure for getting ceramic implants, their benefits, and possible alternatives.
What are Ceramic Dental Implants?
Ceramic dental implants are made of ceramic material with greater strength and endurance. They exactly look like your natural teeth and are non-toxic to your body. They are specially made for people with high sensitivity to different materials as they don’t cause allergies in your mouth. They are placed inside the tooth gap in the jawbone to replace missing teeth.
Understanding the Process of Ceramic Dental Implant
The implant surgery takes around 30 minutes to an hour, based on whether your tooth has been removed or there is currently a space between your teeth. You should know the process before getting an implant surgery. Therefore we have given the complete process of getting a ceramic implant.
Initial Examination
The procedure starts with checking your medical history, examining your mouth, and taking an X-ray. Your medical history is considered to let the dentist know what medicines you are taking currently and if you have diabetes or high blood pressure. Mouth examination and X-ray are important to know the exact location to place the implant.
Treatment Strategy
After all the examinations, a treatment plan is created by taking into consideration your health issues and the condition of the space between the teeth. The next steps, medications, and precautions you need to take to ensure the success of your implant surgery are all outlined in this treatment plan.
If bone grafting is necessary it will be stated in the plan as it should be done before the surgery.
Implant Insertion
Now it is the time for implant placement which is done by giving you anesthesia so that you cannot feel any pain during surgery. The ceramic implant is inserted in the jawbone by cutting the tissues in the gum to create an initial hole. The implant must be placed correctly at a specific angle to maintain a certain level.
Abutment Fixation
An abutment is inserted into the ceramic implant to secure it in place and serves as an additional support for the implant. It will be firmly attached to the jawbone and is also needed to carry the crown in its position.
Crown Placement
A customized crown is created that looks similar to your other tooth. It is made to resemble your teeth by being the same color and form. There is no chance of getting noticed by anyone at parties and functions. Our mission is to provide you with a pleasant experience and a gorgeous grin at the end.
Recovery Period
The procedure is completed after the crown placement but great healing time is required to recover and completely fix the implant. This process is also called osseointegration and you need to follow your dentist’s medications and tips to improve healing time during this period.
Advantages of Ceramics Implants
Following are some of the reasons why you should choose ceramic implants instead of other materials.
Biocompatible
Ceramic implants are composed of zirconium dioxide which is biocompatible and non-allergic. That means when they are introduced into the body, they don’t cause any reaction and easily fit with living tissues and biological systems. They are also sparingly soluble and inert in aqueous media.
Genuine Aesthetics
Compared to titanium implants, ceramic implants give a more natural look to your teeth. The reason behind this is ceramic implants are white but titanium implants give a grayish appearance. Therefore, choosing an implant made of ceramic material gives you a natural aesthetic look and smile.
Insulating
The most important benefit of ceramic implants is their non-conducting property. They do not conduct warmth and cold. Therefore, they don’t cause any pain sensation in the mouth or change their appearance while taking some hot or cold food.
Endurance and Rigidity
The ceramic material has durability for years because of its hard and impermeable nature. Therefore, it is easy to perform daily actions of grinding the food with ceramic material. However, you have to consume soft food after the initial months of surgery for recovery.
Disadvantages of Ceramics Implants
The following are the drawbacks of using ceramic implants
Expensive
Ceramic implants are very costly but they are a good return on investment for your oral health. The higher cost is due to the special material used to make it and the advanced techniques and procedures are followed in the process.
Ceramic Implants are Breakable
Ceramic implants have the downside of being easily breakable than titanium and other metal implants. They are more prone to break easily if more pressure is applied specifically during the chewing action. On the other hand, titanium implants bend rather than break. However, the present-day ceramic implants have less chance of fracture.
Take a Long Healing Time
Old ceramic implants took too long to recover but the latest materials and modern techniques for implantation make it shorter. Now you can recover within a minimum of 3 months and a maximum of 6 months. However, it is recommended to not apply pressure on the implant by eating hard food in the initial 3 months.
Risk of Bone Thermal Injury
As we have discussed earlier, ceramic is an insulating material and does not conduct heat or cold. Therefore, it is important to take precautions during implant placement. At that time, there is a chance of overheating the jawbone and risk of thermal injury which takes a lot of time to heal.
Alternatives to Ceramic Dental Implants
The following are the possible alternatives to ceramic implants:
Zirconia Implants
Zirconia implants are stable and non-reactive like ceramic implants. They are also biocompatible, have high mechanical strength, and are durable. In addition, they are perfect for those people who are looking for more resilience.
Titanium Implants
Titanium implants have long been utilized, even before ceramic implants were made. They are used widely because of their toughness, compatibility with living tissues, and effective outcomes. You can increase the strain on your jaws when titanium implants are placed.
Dentures
If you are afraid of surgery, then dentures that can be removed easily are good to go with. However, the downsides are they don’t give you a natural look and are relatively unstable. You may feel its presence in your mouth as an additional thing is placed in your jaw that causes discomfort.
Ceramic Bridges
A dental bridge is also a good option if you are unwilling for dental implant surgery. It is a method of connecting the prosthetic tooth in which space is present. To make a ceramic bridge, the stumps were made first and then the crowning of the nearby teeth is also required. After that a ceramic bridge is created and the gap is closed.
They are also called resin-bonded bridges or Maryland bridges. They are mostly used in replacing the front teeth.
Leaving the gap
Another choice is leaving the gap as it is and not fixing anything in it but it will cause you to lose your confidence. In addition, there are chances of bone loss in that area, tilting the nearby teeth into that space, or getting an infection.
Closing the Gap with Braces
Braces or aligners are also used in closing the space created due to tooth loss. This process also causes pain and requires a lot of time. It may take 2-3 years to close the gap with braces but it is not recommended at every age and in certain conditions.
Shapes of Ceramic Implant
The structure and shape of the implant also matter in addition to the composition of the material. There are two types of structures, and each one is tailored to the patient’s situation.
One-Piece Ceramic Implant
It consists of a single implant component that unifies the implant with the abutment. Instead of closing the space left by a missing tooth on the rear, it is primarily utilized to replace front teeth.
Two-Piece Ceramic Implant
It comprises two distinct components: the implant body and the abutment. Both are bonded with the help of cement after the recovery of the implant to make it anchored to the jaw. It is mostly used to recover the posterior tooth.
FAQs
Do ceramic dental implants cause pain?
The process is not painful as it is done after giving you anesthesia but you will feel pain after its effect is ended.
Do ceramic dental implants have the same color as natural teeth?
Yes, they are of the same color and look like natural teeth.
Can ceramic dental implants replace multiple teeth?
Yes, they can restore your 3 or more lost teeth.
How much time do implants require to heal?
They need 3-6 months for complete recovery.
Final Thoughts
Dental implants can higher your self-esteem and make you feel more confident. But using the ceramic implant can give you a real and actual look to your teeth and doesn’t seem like a fake one. They are beneficial for numerous reasons but like other implants they also have downsides. However, choosing it is a good choice and is also recommended by specialists.
