Many patients with severely damaged or missing teeth use affordable dental implants in Las Vegas to restore their smiles. Dentists place these surgical fixtures into the jawbone and allow them to fuse with the bone through the process of osseointegration over a few months. Besides acting as a replacement for the missing tooth’s root, a dental implant also serves to hold a replacement tooth or bridge.
The history of dental implants dates back to ancient civilizations, but modern titanium implants emerged in the 1960s when Dr. Per-Ingvar Brånemark discovered osseointegration—the process where bone cells naturally bond with titanium without rejection. DrkhazianDental Brothers Studies consistently show titanium implants have success rates above 90-98% when placed by qualified professionals. This remarkable reliability is primarily due to titanium’s unique biocompatibility and ability to integrate with bone tissue. MDPISmile Montreal Surface modifications of titanium implants, particularly micro-rough textures created through techniques like sandblasting followed by acid-etching, have significantly enhanced osseointegration speed and quality since the initial development in the late 1960s.
For so many years, all dental implants were made from a metal called titanium. However, with the advancements in modern dentistry, they can now be derived from other materials. Dental health experts have conducted extensive research on these materials to understand how their physical and chemical properties impact their clinical applications.
A Closer Look at the Best Materials Used in Making Dental Implants Today
Titanium
For decades, the medical industry has been using titanium for various clinical applications, including hip and knee replacements. In the field of dentistry, this strong, lightweight, corrosion-resistant, and non-toxic metal has become one of the most sought-after materials for dental implants due to its long-term success rate of around 95%.
Most dental implants use titanium, specifically commercially pure titanium (CP-Ti) or titanium alloy (Ti6Al4V), because of its exceptional biocompatibility. Titanium naturally forms a stable, inert oxide layer when exposed to oxygen, making it resistant to corrosion in the body. Titanium is considered the most biocompatible of all metallic biomaterials and undergoes rigorous testing to ensure safety and durability. Its unique ability to osseointegrate—fuse with bone tissue—creates a strong, stable foundation for dental implants. Clinical studies show titanium dental implants have success rates above 90%, often reaching 95% over ten years. Their reliability comes from combining excellent biocompatibility with high strength-to-weight ratio and corrosion resistance.
Benefits of Using Titanium Dental Implants
They’re Strong and Durable
Dental implants support your jaw’s bite force. For this reason, they require strength and durability to withstand the pressure of regular biting and chewing. Since titanium alloy has the highest strength-to-weight ratio of all metals, it’s as strong as steel in its resistance to external forces.
Due to its tensile strength or resistance to breaking down under pressure, fractures in titanium implants rarely occur. If you want to get a robust dental implant material durable enough to last a lifetime, titanium is your best bet.
They’re Lightweight
Dental implants are permanent tooth replacements that your dentist surgically places in your jaw. Since you’ll have to wear them for a long time, you wouldn’t want pieces of heavy metal constricting your mouth for years. Although titanium alloy’s strength is similar to steel, this dental implant material is about 45% lighter.
They’re Biocompatible
Biocompatibility refers to the ability of the implant material to exist in the body without causing allergic reactions and undesirable immunity responses. Titanium is one of the few materials known to be biocompatible with the human body.
When titanium implants come in contact with the jaw and are left undisturbed, the material allows the implants to tightly integrate into the bone without producing adverse effects. As the implants seamlessly fuse with your jaw, they provide your new teeth with a solid and stable foundation.
They’re Resistant to Corrosion
Titanium dental implants are second to none when it comes to their resistance to corrosion. Since titanium has the ability to create protective oxygen layers on its surface, it provides protection against a wide range of aggressive substances that can potentially cause damage to the implants.
They’re Customizable
Titanium dental implants come in a two-piece system comprised of a screw-like post and a separate abutment sitting atop the post, connecting to the artificial tooth. This two-piece system makes the implants customizable for patients with low bone deficiencies. With titanium dental implants, bone loss can’t stop you from having a pleasant smile.
Zirconia
Patients looking to replace their damaged or missing teeth with non-metallic restorative options turn to zirconia implants. Since zirconia implants come in the form of zirconium oxide, a ceramic with a robust crystal structure, they’re a non-metal alternative to traditional titanium.
Benefits of Choosing Zirconia Implants
They Promote Better Oral Health
Thanks to zirconia’s smooth ceramic surface, plaque and bacteria won’t have crooks and crevices to latch onto. Additionally, zirconia features a non-polar structure that makes bacteria less likely to adhere to the implants. In other words, your chances of maintaining better oral health are higher with zirconia implants.
They’re Hypo-allergenic
Zirconia is a naturally hypoallergenic material that won’t cause itchiness and inflammation. If you have sensitivities or allergies to metal, you’ll lower your risk of implant failure if you choose zirconia implants.
They Offer an Aesthetic Advantage
Once they’re in place, zirconia dental implants won’t be seen through the gum tissue because they’re white. If your implants are in your smile zone, you won’t have to worry about metal taints on your gums if you choose zirconia because they won’t cause discoloration.
Looking for Affordable Dental Implants in Las Vegas?
At Dee for Dentist, nothing means more to us than your health and comfort. If you’re looking to restore your smile with dental implants, be glad to know that our office offers both titanium and zirconia crowns. Best of all, we also offer high-performance Roxolid® crowns composed of 15% zirconium and 85% titanium so that you can enjoy the best of both worlds.
One phone call can help you get a brighter smile. If you’re ready to receive the highest quality of dental care in a safe and comfortable environment, make an appointment with us today!
