More and more dentists are going for the “metal-free” option these days, both at the request of patients and after learning about the harmful effects of having metal in the mouth for decades at a time. To help keep patients at ease about their dental restorations and implants, your dentist has gone the extra mile to provide a metal-free option, known as CeraRoot.
To learn what CeraRoot is and how it can replace your missing tooth without the use of metal components, keep reading!
What is CeraRoot?
CeraRoot is the first dental implant system to offer a metal-free implant for replacing teeth. The system uses incredibly strong ceramic materials without sacrificing functional or esthetic traits that you would find with traditional titanium implants. Patients who have allergies to the metal alloys used in titanium, or who just want a more holistic approach to dentistry should consider this option for tooth replacement.
How Does CeraRoot Differ from Traditional Dental Implants?
Traditional implants use a combination of metal alloys to create titanium, the most commonly used material for most surgical implantations, not just dental implants. While titanium is biocompatible and many people can use it without issue, patients are not always able to determine the composition of the dental implants they receive because manufacturers do not make that information public. As a result, patients are forced to roll the dice when receiving metal implants.
In some cases, bacteria can interfere with the components that make up traditional implants, increasing the risk of inflammatory reactions caused by bacterial byproducts. This is because microgaps exist between dental implant pieces, allowing bacteria to grow and develop.
When you choose an implant made entirely from zirconia, you get all the benefits of traditional implants without the risks that come with using metal components. This includes:
- Optimal osseointegration and biocompatibility
- Long-term strength that lasts for many years
- Premium esthetic, functionality, and comfort
What are the Benefits of Zirconia?
While zirconia can stand up against titanium implants quite well, they also come with their own list of unique benefits.
- Ideal for Allergies – Itchiness and inflammation can appear years after receiving titanium implants, but zirconia is hypoallergenic, reducing the risk of failure and bone loss that comes with allergic reactions.
- Corrosion Resistance – As a bioinert material, zirconia will never trigger chemical reactions, reducing the risk of corroding and traveling to other areas of the body. Corrosion is far more common when using titanium.
- Non-conductivity – Ceramic implants are far less likely to develop bacterial growth because it does not produce an electrical charge. This creates an environment that promotes healthier gums, which is essential to avoid implant failure.
- One-piece Design – Traditional implants typically use multiple pieces, creating warm places for anaerobic bacteria to grow as micro-movements occur. By using a single piece that uses no abutments or connecting screws, zirconia implants make it more difficult for bacteria to accumulate.
Want to learn more benefits of going metal-free? Schedule an appointment with your dentist to see if zirconia dental implants are right for you!
About the Author
Dr. Benjamin Hornstein has decades of experience in dentistry, including in the field of full-mouth reconstructions and dental implant materials. His goal is to help as many patients as possible replace teeth, without the worry of allergic reactions or complications. To learn more about metal-free restorations or about his practice, contact him through his website.