Zirconia dental implants are offered as an alternative to Titanium dental implants for patients who want ‘metal-free’ implants. Since Zirconia dental implants are relatively new and lack long-term studies, their safety, efficacy, and long-term prognosis remain largely unknown. Although there appears to be fairly good success with Zirconia dental implants, complications such as sensitivity, allergy, and fractures have been reported.
Here is a case report on a recent patient referred to our office:
A patient had a Zirconia dental implant placed for replacement of her missing tooth. The implant healed well and was successfully restored. Several months later she began to develop headaches, imbalance, rashes, and random bone pain. Eventually, she was recommended to get a blood test which confirmed sensitivity to Zirconium Oxide. Her physician recommended removal of her dental implant as the symptoms appeared to correlate with her sensitivity to Zirconium Oxide, the material in her implant.
Titanium has a long history of medical and dental use with no documented allergy. It is widely used in dental, orthopedic, and neurosurgical fields and its safety and efficacy have been well demonstrated. While Zirconia dental implants are an acceptable alternative to Titanium, patients should be aware of potential complications and make an engaged decision with the treating surgeon. Titanium dental implants are currently the most researched, predictable, and the material of choice in dentistry.
Call us at 301-654-7070 for a consultation with Dr. H. Ryan Kazemi, Board Certified Oral & Maxillofacial Surgeon in Bethesda, MD, regarding the best type of dental implants to meet your needs.
