I have two dental implants already. Both of them are titanium. I recently read an article in a natural news magazine that said it could cause neurological problems. I now need a new dental implant. Will a zirconia implant cause the same type of problems or be a better option for me? If it is a better option for me, should I remove my old implants to trade them out for the zirconia implants?
Adrianne
Dear Adrianne,
I am curious if this magazine backed up their insinuation with actual studies that they’ve documented and referenced so you can check them? My guess is they did not. I have seen no studies that showed there were any biological ill effects with titanium. In opposition to that, there are decades of evidence showing titanium is very biocompatible. It’s been used as a prosthetic in many parts of the body with no ill effects. Because of that, I am comfortable with titanium. However, that does not mean you cannot get a zirconia implant.
If that is what you want, you will have to do a little searching to find a dentist who is offering them. The reason for that is they are fairly new, especially compared to their titanium compatriots. There is less data on their longevity. That does not mean they are less long-lasting, just that we do not have the data to back it up yet. You will have a better chance of finding a dentist who will work with them by looking for a holistic dentist who also has significant dental implant training.
As to whether you should remove and replace your other two dental implants, I would say don’t do that. Here’s why. When you remove your implants, it is going to take your bone with it. This will require that you have an additional procedure done, known as bone grafting. This is not only an additional expense and surgery but also an unnecessary risk. Right now, you have two successful dental implants. If you remove them, you take the chance their replacements will fail.
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