Is a Dental Implant Harmful to the Body?

Over the last few years dental implant procedures have become popular in dentistry, and with good reason. Dental implants are often an effective way to replace missing or damaged teeth. However, despite the many positive results, these implants raise a few questions with patients anxious to know if they can be harmful to the body.

Dental implants and the body

A dental implant is a screw-shaped oral prosthetic used for dental restorations and tooth replacement. These implants are inserted into the jawbone to act like replacement tooth roots that can support crowns and bridges. This permanent placement in the mouth can lead to concerns about what effects they may have on the bone and body.

Titanium implants

The main component of traditional dental implants is titanium. Titanium is a metal that is known to be one of the least reactive elements. Its chemical makeup is biocompatible, which means it is safe for the body.

Dental implants made of titanium are able to fuse with the jawbone in a natural process called osseointegration. Once the implants are placed beneath the jawbone, the body decides whether to accept them. In almost every case, the body does not reject the implants and then the fusing process begins, allowing for a firmly rooted implant.

The majority of dental implants are made of titanium because the material has been the standard since dental implants were invented. Today, dental implants made of titanium materials have an impressive success rate of 94% to 97%. 

Zirconia implants

Recent dental technology innovations have allowed for the creation of zirconia dental implants, which are also referred to as ceramic implants. Zirconia is another material that is biocompatible, so is also likely to be accepted by the body. The same process of osseointegration is necessary in the case of zirconia dental implants. In fact, there are only a couple of notable differences between these and the titanium types, neither of which have any effect on the safety of these implants.

Zirconia dental implants are only currently made in one piece, rather than two as titanium dental implants are. Titanium implants are made up of the abutment and the actual post, while zirconia implants have both pieces already fused together. The other difference is that the zirconia dental implants are white in color rather than metallic, which has no bearing on safety. 

Both titanium and zirconia dental implants are safe for the body. In rare instances, a patient may be allergic to either material, which could cause the body to reject the implant. However, for the most part, both types of materials are easily accepted by the body so that osseointegration can take place, allowing for a successful dental implant restoration or replacement. 

Explore tooth replacement options

Any concerns about the safety of dental implants should be addressed by a dental professional. Whether you are ready to get started with the dental implant process or if you have questions first, reach out to our office.

Request an appointment here: https://www.smilebeautification.com or call Rolando Cibischino D.M.D. at (201) 204-1355 for an appointment in our Hackensack office.

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