Titanium implants offer many benefits over other dental implant materials, such as robustness, durability, and longevity. For the majority of individuals, these come with minimal risks; however, it is important to bear in mind any potential side effects before undergoing surgery. Furthermore, your dentist will review your medical history to ensure that you are a suitable candidate for the titanium implant procedure.

Advantages of titanium tooth implants

When you experience tooth loss, it can feel like a huge blow to your confidence and the health of your remaining natural teeth. Permanent titanium implants provide an excellent solution -one that has been around since the mid-1960s. The process from consultation to surgery and recovery may take several months but provides many advantages beyond just safety benefits. With these secure replacements for missing teeth, you won’t have to worry about any embarrassing slips or losing them again.

Strength

Currently, titanium alloys are composed of three different categories: alpha, beta, and alpha-beta. These composites are formed by uniting liquid titanium with other elements, such as aluminium (alpha) for reinforcement and vanadium (beta). After the concoction is combined, it solidifies into these distinct shapes after being cooled to a specific temperature.

By combining alpha and beta elements, the titanium alloy used for dental implants is not only one of the most popular but also among the strongest.

The heat treatment applied to this alloy endows it with greater durability against fatigue and corrosion, as well as increasing its resistance to wear and tear from chewing or biting.

It further provides a unique balance between rigidity that surpasses bone yet remains more malleable than pure titanium – an essential attribute in a material meant to endure regular stressors such as mastication.

Biocompatibility

In its natural state, metal is not compatible with the body’s chemistry due to the strong positive charges of metal ions that bond to cell membranes and DNA which have a net negative charge. Without a protective coating, these bonds can deactivate or damage cells making them unsafe for use in medical applications.

Titanium is renowned for its low conductivity, forming a thin and secure passive oxide coating that can withstand the same acidic and alkaline levels of our bodies. In this regard, titanium dental implants crafted from either pure titanium or Ti-alloy V (Ti-6Al-4 V) are highly biocompatible and have been proven to integrate with bone tissue to act as an artificial root during the healing process.

High success rate

Titanium dental implants are among the most successful of all treatments, with an impressive 98.8% survival rate reported after 10 years for a study of 511 titanium implants and up to 99% success rates overall! Commendably, these results were observed in commercially pure titanium and Ti-6AL-4V teeth implants.

Zirconia VS Titanium tooth implant

Titanium is the go-to choice for dental implants, but zirconia implants are a viable alternative thanks to their lifelike white colour. Although there may be certain shortcomings when compared to titanium, these particular implants have much to offer.

Brittle material

Although zirconia’s impressive compression abilities are undeniable, its fragility can result in breakages if bent or flexed even slightly. In the long term, fractures and other issues may arise out of such vulnerability due to their delicate nature. Studies have shown that titanium tooth implants experience greater success compared to those made with zirconia. A research experiment revealed an overall success rate ranging from 74%-98%, with survival rates placed between 79.6% and 91.6%. This analysis was conducted over 6-56 months post-insertion for sound results validation.

The likelihood of implant failure rises sharply with zirconia implants because micro-cracks in the material can occur when there are any frequent oral motions, such as biting or chewing. Sadly, this could mean an unsuccessful surgery even within a few years post-op.

Risk of damage during the manufacturing process

Zirconia implants may be affected by creation mistakes and inadequate finishes, making them potentially liable to fracture or rejection after being inserted in the mouth. To make sure this doesn’t happen, manufacturers must take extreme caution during every step of fabrication for maximum dependability.

What can go wrong with titanium implants?

Although uncommon, there are a few potential side effects associated with titanium dental implants. These can include:

Titanium toxicity:

Titanium teeth implants may cause a rare but serious condition known as titanium toxicity. This condition can lead to bone inflammation, loss of bone density, and yellow nail syndrome due to the build-up of titanium ions and particles in the tissues. It is important for patients receiving such implants to be aware of this potential complication in order to take preventive action if necessary.

Metal allergy

Although titanium implants are generally safe and rarely cause allergic reactions, a handful of individuals may be hypersensitive to the nickel found in metal alloys. These few people with titanium implants have experienced adverse effects as a result of their allergies.

Fracturing

Although titanium implant fracture is rarely seen, with only a documented prevalence ranging from 0% to 6%, it can be attributed to errors in the production of some dental implants and inferior fit.

Are you a good candidate for titanium tooth implants?

If you’re wondering whether or not dental implants are an effective option for you, your dentist will first assess the strength of your mouth and jawbone to ensure they can securely accommodate them. Unfortunately, some health conditions may prevent titanium implants from properly bonding with the jawbone during healing:

• Gum disease: If advanced gum disease has compromised the strength of your jawbone, don’t worry.
  Your dentist can utilise bone grafting and guided tissue regeneration to restore any lost bone material before placing a dental implant. This way, you can be sure that your jaw is strong enough to support the implant procedure. 

• Smoking: Smoking can profoundly impact your health and the osseointegration process of dental implants, making healing slow down significantly. In order to sidestep any potential repercussions, it is recommended that you quit smoking before and after receiving a dental implant procedure.

• Diabetes: For diabetic patients who consistently monitor their glucose levels, the success rate of dental implants is incredibly high – ranging from 85-95%. Before going ahead with the treatment, your dentist will likely ensure that diabetes is being managed properly and sugar levels remain consistent.
• Alcohol consumption: Consuming alcohol can hinder the development of bone tissue around dental implants, and heavy drinking has been linked to an increase in late implant failure.

Talk to your dentist about getting titanium teeth implants

If you’re curious about replacing missing teeth, dental implant surgery is a great choice for permanently restoring your smile and allowing you to communicate, eat and laugh just as before. It involves time and financial resources, but it’s worth every penny in return. Our dentists at DDSS are available to discuss any worries or questions regarding our payment plans, do not hesitate and contact us today.

Note: Any surgical or invasive procedure carries risks. Before proceeding, you should seek a second opinion from an appropriately qualified health practitioner.

References:

Oral Health of Australian Adults: Distribution and Time Trends of Dental Caries, Periodontal Disease and Tooth Loss

https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC8583389/

Titanium as a Reconstruction and Implant Material in Dentistry: Advantages and Pitfalls

https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC5449026/