Why patients in Carlsbad, CA like the look of zirconia implants

Are you tired of a silvery flash when you smile, or teeth that look gray and dull? If you grew up prior to 1980, there’s a good chance you have metal in your mouth – silver-colored amalgam fillings, a metal core crown, or in a bridge or partial denture. If you had a dental implant in the 80s or 90s, it is also likely to be made of metal. Dr. Al A. Fallah brings attractive alternatives including zirconia implants to patients in the Carlsbad, CA area.

Dental implant placement

It is a common misperception that a dental implant is an artificial tooth [teaserbreak]you see when you smile. In truth, an implant is a man-made tooth root that takes the place of one that is missing – congenitally or due to trauma, periodontal disease, or extraction. Ideally, the implant should be no more visible in your smile than a natural tooth root.

The implant is a small screw-shaped post. In a well-planned and computer-guided oral surgery, it is precisely positioned in the jawbone. Over time, the implant becomes integrated into the bone. This creates a solid foundation for restoration. Most commonly, dental implants are used to replace individual missing teeth. In this scenario, the implant is topped with a crown. Again, ideally, it should be indistinguishable from a natural tooth.

When implantology became part of mainstream dentistry in this country in the early 1980s, dental implants were made of titanium alloys. Titanium is a strong, lightweight metal. Its value in orthopedic surgeries was well documented. About 5% of the population has an allergy to Titanium. Less than half of 1% of the population has an allergy to Zirconia. Also, titanium has a gray metallic color and aesthetics is much more of a concern with your smile. Furthermore, unlike Titanium, Zirconia is electrically inert to the meridian points with superior health of its surrounding gum tissue and esthetics.

What is zirconia?

An oxide is any chemical compound that contains at least one atom of oxygen. Through a meticulous laboratory process, zirconium dioxide (with two atoms of oxygen) is transformed into a pure crystalline structure, hard enough substitute for a diamond! Zirconia has many engineering properties that make it desirable in several high-tech industries. However, its biocompatibility, strength, and aesthetics make zirconia ideal for dental ceramics.   Call Our Office For More Information call us at (760) 730-1600.

Zirconia implants are an attractive option in Carlsbad, CA

Back to our earlier discussion, in the 1980s dental implants were made of gray titanium, and they were usually restored with porcelain-fused-to-metal crowns. This usually resulted in a functional replacement tooth, but the crown lacked the translucency and light reflecting qualities of a natural tooth. In addition, the implant could often be seen as gray discoloration at the gum line.

A zirconia dental implant topped with a CEREC or lab-made solid porcelain crown is a beautiful alternative.

A zirconia implant is, by its very chemical composition, white like tooth structure. If you have thin gum tissue (a hereditary trait) a zirconia implant will not give a gray cast. In addition, if gums recede with age, the implant continues to look natural. With an all ceramic crown, this is the most realistic looking tooth replacement option available today.

A metal-free mouth is more than a pretty smile

As a holistic, biological dentist, Dr. Fallah offers a range of non-metal treatment options. In addition to aesthetics, here are some of the reasons his patients choose metal-free smiles:

• No mercury – Silver-colored amalgam has a significant (about 50 percent) mercury component. Use and handling of inorganic mercury is highly-regulated by the Environmental Protection Agency, the Food and Drug Administration, the Occupational Safety and Health Administration, and other state and federal authorities. Why? It is a potent neurotoxin. Many health-conscious individuals simply do not want mercury a few inches from their brains. Composite resin and porcelain dental restorations contain no mercury.
• Non-reactive – Metal-free dental materials will not discolor or pit from acids in beverages and foods.
• Non-corrosive – Corrosion is an electrochemical reaction that breaks down an otherwise stable material. Metals corrode – ceramics and resins do not.
• No galvanism – When multiple metals are present in the moist environment of the mouth, they create electrical currents that may contribute to a variety of health issues.
• Minimal risk of allergy – Most metals used in dentistry are alloys, some containing nickel. An estimated 30 percent of our population has metal allergies.
• Non-conductive – Metal restorations quickly conduct heat and cold to delicate nerves in the mouth. Porcelain and composites, however, insulate sensitive teeth.

Can zirconia implants make a healthy, attractive difference in your smile? Schedule a consultation with Dr. Fallah to find out. The number in Carlsbad, CA is (760) 730-1600.