Here at Marylebone Implant Centre, we offer a variety of different cosmetic dentistry procedures to help patients who suffer from a missing tooth or teeth. As such, zirconia implants or implant abutments are a great option.
WHAT ARE ZIRCONIA DENTAL IMPLANTS?
Dental implants have three components: the implant itself, the abutment, and the crown, although in some situations the abutment and the crown may be just one piece (screw-retained crowns).
The abutment is the supporting middle structure between the dental implant and the crown – it can be difficult to visually mimic natural teeth when the adjacent gum is thin and translucent, hence the use of zirconia in implants.
Another critical component of our dental implants is the crown. Implant crowns can be cemented into the abutment or they can be screw-retained when the abutment and crown are a singular piece. In both cases, it is possible for the base or coping of the crown to be made of zirconia.
Dental crowns are often incorrectly believed to be made of porcelain or ceramic. Porcelain is a fairly weak material that requires a resistant substructure. This can be made of metal, or alternatively of zirconia. Because zirconia is white in appearance, similar to natural teeth, clinicians who use this material are able to obtain a much more natural result for patients.
Other benefits of zirconia implants include:
- Incredibly biocompatible
- Realistic appearance – thanks to its whiteness, slight translucence, and optic properties, it is frequently used in highly aesthetic cases or in situations when patients prefer not to have any metal component as part of their implants, implant restorations or crowns.
CHOOSE ZIRCONIA IMPLANTS, ABUTMENTS, AND CROWNS AT MARYLEBONE DENTAL IMPLANT CENTRE
If you are suffering from a missing tooth or teeth, the use of zirconia in implants is a popular option with patients.
Zirconia is a white and slightly translucent material that is very hard, which can be used to create implant components as an alternative to titanium or metal.
Due to its highly aesthetic properties, we often propose the use of zirconia abutments with metal-free crowns, as these allow as natural as possible an outcome.
THE ZIRCONIA COMPONENTS AVAILABLE IN THE DENTAL INDUSTRY ARE:
- Dental implants
- Implant abutments and frameworks
- Teeth or implant crown copings
ZIRCONIUM ABUTMENT – IS IT RIGHT FOR YOU?
Zirconia abutments are a great option if zirconia implants are needed in the front section of the mouth, where the gum is thin.
Zirconium abutments are highly aesthetic and can provide optimal results for patients with implants in areas with thinner gums.
This is because implants and abutments made of alternative materials, such as titanium, are easier to see, ruining the appearance of the smile even once the restoration has been completed.
Zirconia implants come with the necessary strength and biocompatibility needed for all dental implant materials – providing patients with a safe, long-lasting, and natural-looking alternative to titanium.
ZIRCONIUM DENTAL IMPLANTS COST – WHAT SHOULD YOU EXPECT TO PAY?
To find out how much you can expect to pay for zirconium abutments and crowns, you can take a look at our dental fees.
Please note, however, that you will need to come and see one of our expert dentists for a bespoke total, based on the condition of your teeth. To do this, all you need to do is book a consultation, using the blue BOOK AN APPOINTMENT button on the top right-hand side of your screen.
ZIRCONIUM IMPLANTS PROS AND CONS
Benefits of zirconia implants:
- Look more natural – thanks to their translucence, optic properties, and white colour
- Can be used in areas with thin or thinning gums
- Allows for reduced metal usage – ideal for those interested in holistic dentistry
- Long-lasting and durable implant components – making them a popular choice for implantologists and patients alike
- Two-piece dental implants are now available – after 20 years of implantology development
Considerations for zirconia implants:
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- Limited availability – as they are still relatively new to the implant market, not all dental implant providers will use zirconium
- The implications and longevity of zirconium have not yet been adequately studied in all circumstances
- Improper placement can affect longevity
Zirconia implants are an available option for patients at the Marylebone Implant Centre. If you wish to discuss this implant material, please speak to one of our implantologists during the initial consultation.
ZIRCONIUM IMPLANTS VS THE REST – WHICH DENTAL IMPLANTS ARE BEST?
If you are considering zirconium implants, it’s worth considering how they stack up when compared to other common materials, including titanium, porcelain, and E-max – allowing you to make an informed decision about your dental care.
Titanium vs Zirconium Implants
The most commonly used material for dental implants is titanium.
Long-standing use of titanium is widely accepted because of its biocompatibility and low cost. Also described as bioinert, titanium has long been used in dental implants and for prosthetic limbs as has little to no deleterious (harmful) effect on the surrounding tissues, making it safe for use in the body.
However, titanium can be visible in areas that have thinning gums, making zirconium a more aesthetic choice.
Zirconium also has many of the same benefits, including similar strength and durability and a reduced likelihood of allergic reactions.
Zirconium vs Porcelain
If you are looking for crown options, you may be considering choosing between zirconium and porcelain.
Porcelain crowns are no doubt the more popular of the two, thanks to decades of use within the industry. However, is it the right choice for you?
Porcelain is often chosen because it is the most common solution but as the crowns age dark banding can begin to show along the gumline, thanks to the joining of the metal inner layer and the porcelain top layer.
Zirconia implants, on the other hand, don’t have this issue. They can match remaining natural teeth more closely, as well as being stronger and less susceptible to damage from chewing and grinding – making them a superior choice.
Zirconium vs E-max
E-max crowns are made from a similar product to zirconium, an all-ceramic lithium desilicate, and are often used in conjunction with bridges or implants.
E-max crowns can be popular because they are made from a single block, which limits visible joins and increases strength. However, it is quite expensive when compared to zirconium.
So, for a strong and natural-looking option, you may want to consider zirconium implants.
Zirconia Implant FAQs
Are zirconia implants shiny?
Not to be confused with glitzy cubic zirconia, the diamond simulant found in high-street jewellery, the zirconia used in dental implants is a tooth-coloured, slightly translucent ceramic.
Due to its extreme rigidity, natural colouring, and biocompatibility, zirconia is ideal for replacing metal components in dental implants, such as dental implant abutments and implant crowns.
This option is favoured by those who:
- Prefer to use as little metal as possible
- Have thin gums and want their dental implants to blend in more naturally
- Are concerned about their dental implants blending in with existing teeth
For more information about the use of zirconia in dental implants or to compare crown material options, book an appointment with the dental implant experts today.
To book you can click the blue Book an Appointment button at the top right of your screen or give us a call on 020 3285 6146.
Are zirconia implants better than titanium dental implants?
When comparing dental implant materials, like porcelain and zirconia, the choice is far from clear sometimes.
Frequently described as virtually indestructible, with a colour and translucency that helps them to blend in with remaining teeth, some patients prefer and opt for zirconia abutments and crowns for their dental implants.
Others stick with porcelain because it has long been trusted in the industry, can offer a more realistic finish, and can often be customised.
The choice really is up to you – but have no fear, you will be able to thoroughly talk through each option as part of your dental implant consultation and find out which is best for your specific circumstances.
Simply fill in our online contact form or give us a call on 020 3285 6146 and we’ll get you booked in for a dental implant consultation.
Do zirconia implants cost more?
If you are looking to replace missing teeth with dental implants, you will have plenty of choice with Marylebone Implant Centre.
Depending on your circumstances and preferences, you can select from a range of dental implant materials, each with its own associated price point. This includes:
| Material type | Price |
| Dental implant with titanium abutment and porcelain crown
|
£2,750 |
| Dental implant with zirconia abutment and Emax crown
|
£3,150 |
| Zirconia implant with a zirconia crown | £3,950 |
Explore our transparent pricing to find out more or fill in the contact form at the bottom of your screen to request a callback.
How long will zirconia implants last?
If cared for properly and your dental hygiene is maintained, zirconia implants can last between 10 years and a lifetime.
As with all dental implants, if the mouth remains healthy and free from the symptoms of gum disease, there should be no reason that the implant does not remain bonded with the jaw and last for years to come.
Similarly, with regular brushing and flossing, the abutment and crown can be kept clean, stain-free and looking good for decades.
To find out more about zirconia dental implants, or for anything other enquiries, please give us a call on 020 3285 6146 or send us an email to [email protected] and we’ll get back to you as soon as we can.
BOOK YOUR FREE CONSULTATION TODAY
All of our dentists are registered with the GDC, while our treatment is all approved under BDA, GDC and UK standard guidelines. To find out more about any of the services we provide, why we should be your first choice if you’re looking for a dentist to carry out dental implants or dental implant costs London reach out to us.
