Dental implants can be an excellent choice for many individuals who want to replace their missing teeth. However, if you have an allergy or sensitivity to metal, you may wonder how it could affect your ability to get implant posts, which are normally made out of titanium. Will you have to pursue a different form of tooth replacement? Or could dental implants still be an option? Here’s what people with metal allergies need to know.
How Can Metal Allergies Affect Your Ability to Get Traditional Dental Implants?
It should be noted that metal allergies typically involve specific types of metals, and an allergy to titanium in particular is very rare – though with that being said, it is not completely unheard of. If you do have an allergic reaction to your titanium implant, your body will reject it, and you may notice symptoms such as itchy inflammation, swelling, and pain. Obviously, it’s best to have dental implant posts removed immediately if they cause this type of issue.
There are tests that can be performed to confirm whether you have a titanium allergy. If you do, then it goes without saying that traditional titanium dental implants are a poor fit for you.
Are There Any Alternatives to Titanium Dental Implants?
Fortunately, nowadays there’s more than one type of dental implant you can get. Many oral surgeons offer implant posts made out of zirconia. This material may not be as strong as titanium, but it is still highly durable and can be trusted to last for a long time. Even if you are struggling with metal allergies, zirconia implants shouldn’t cause you any trouble.
What are the Advantages of Zirconia Dental Implants?
There are several other advantages that can make zirconia dental implants worth considering:
- Unlike titanium and other metals, zirconia does not corrode. You therefore will not have to worry about corrosion-related dental implant failure.
- Zirconia is considered a hygienic material and can reduce the amount of plaque buildup that occurs around the dental implant post.
- With metal implants, there’s the risk of the gums receding and causing a dark spot to appear in your smile. Meanwhile, zirconia is tooth-colored, which helps give your dental implants a much more natural appearance.
Simply put, zirconia can make dental implants a viable option for patients with metal allergies. If you are interested in rebuilding your smile with zirconia dental implants, talk to your oral surgeon to see if you’re a viable candidate.
About the Practice
At South Florida Oral & Maxillofacial Surgery, all of our oral surgeons are dedicated to helping our patients enjoy quality care with as little stress as possible. At our practice, you have the option of getting dental implants that are made out of zirconia. To schedule a consultation at our office in Jupiter, please visit our website or call (561) 743-8311.