Zirconia vs Titanium Dental Implants in Beverly Hills, CA
If you're replacing a missing tooth, two kinds of dental implants have probably come up in your research: titanium and zirconia. Both replace the root of a tooth and hold a new crown in place. The difference is the material, and at Beverly Hills Dental that choice is a big part of how Dr. Nader Afshari plans your care. Below, we walk through how the two compare, how an implant works, who tends to be a good candidate, and what happens when you come in to talk it through.
What's the difference between zirconia and titanium dental implants?
The main difference is what the implant is made of. Titanium implants are metal posts. Zirconia implants are metal-free, and they're the implants we place for our patients.
Dr. Nader puts it simply: "We don't use metal, we don't use titanium, we use zirconia. Just a natural looking result."
Both types are built for the same job. The implant sits in your jawbone where the tooth root used to be, and a custom crown attaches on top so you can smile and chew with a full set of teeth again.
- Material: titanium is a metal; zirconia is metal-free.
- Purpose: both replace the tooth root and support a crown.
- At our office: we use zirconia for our metal-free dental implants in Beverly Hills.
How does a dental implant work?
A dental implant replaces the root of a missing tooth. It's placed in the jawbone, and over the following months the bone heals around it and holds it firmly in place. Dentists call that bonding process osseointegration.
Once the bone has healed, the crown goes on. Mayo Clinic explains that the whole process often takes several months, mostly because the bone needs time to heal between steps. In general, it follows this order:
- An exam and planning visit, which usually includes x-rays or 3D images of your jaw.
- Placing the implant post in the jawbone.
- Healing time while the bone grows around the post.
- Attaching the abutment (the small connector) and then your new crown.
Who is a good candidate for a dental implant?
A good candidate generally has healthy gums and enough jawbone to hold the implant. If the bone has thinned where a tooth has been missing, a bone graft can build it back up before the implant goes in, and bone grafting is one of the services we offer.
Implants can replace one tooth or many. Along with single tooth implants, we offer full mouth implants and implant-supported dentures, so the plan can match how many teeth you're replacing.
Your overall health plays a part too. Health conditions that slow bone healing and smoking can affect whether an implant is the right fit, so bring your full health history to your consultation.
Can I still get an implant if my tooth has been missing for years?
Often, yes. Dr. Nader sees plenty of people who put off replacing a tooth because they could still chew fine. After a long gap the bone in that spot may need a graft first, and the exam shows whether it does.
Why do Beverly Hills patients choose Beverly Hills Dental and Dr. Nader for metal-free implants?
Patients come to Dr. Nader for zirconia implants because metal-free, biocompatible care is the focus of his practice. He earned his Doctor of Dental Surgery at the University of the Pacific, completed implant training at UCLA, and is a former instructor at the USC School of Dentistry. He was an early adopter of implants in the 2000s, and he has spent three decades learning to handle complex cases, from full-mouth implants to bite corrections. He also speaks four languages and treats everyone like family.
Everything here is chosen with your whole-body health in mind, from tooth-colored fillings to metal-free zirconia implants.
The other difference is time. There is one patient in the office at a time at our Beverly Hills dental office in the Golden Triangle, so your implant consultation is private and unhurried. In Dr. Nader's words: "When you're in my chair, nobody's rushing me, and I will never be rushing you."
How do I know if a zirconia implant is right for me?
The way to find out is a consultation with Dr. Nader. He'll look at the tooth you're replacing and the area around it, answer your questions, and talk through what you want from your new tooth.
He describes that first visit like this: "It's a time for us to get to know each other and for you to tell me all of your needs and hopefully I can meet your expectations."
How do I take care of a dental implant?
Care for an implant the way you care for your natural teeth. The American Dental Association recommends brushing twice a day, cleaning between your teeth daily, and keeping up with regular dental visits so your dentist can check the implant and the gums around it.
Thinking about replacing a missing tooth with a metal-free implant? Call or text us at 310-278-6630 or schedule a consultation with Dr. Nader. You'll find us at 414 N Camden Dr #925 in Beverly Hills, CA, open Monday through Thursday, 8:00 am to 5:00 pm.
Published by Beverly Hills Dental (Dr. Nader Afshari).
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