CERAMIC DENTAL IMPLANT

What material can dental implants be made of ?

A dental implant is a permanent solution. The material used must therefore naturally be biocompatible and must not be recognized by your immune system as an unnatural material.

Dental implants are often made of pure titanium or a titanium alloys which are viewed as bio-tolerated materials. This has long been the standard material for dental implants and is still the most commonly used worldwide. However, Titanium is not a 100% biocompatible material and modern dental implants can nowadays also be made of ceramic (zirconium dioxide) or 100% metal-free. Ceramic implants have become a reliable alternative to titanium which can be used in almost any case and which achieves outstanding results.

What are the advantages of ceramic implants?

Patients are increasingly interested in metal-free implant restorations. We openly discuss with patients which implant system is individually possible or even preferable.

Soft tissue-friendly

Ceramic implants are considered to be very soft tissue friendly: very healthy, inflammation-free gums usually develop around ceramic implants. This is positive, both for the overall organism and for the long-term success of the implants. The biocompatibility of the ceramic leads to natural blood circulation in the gums and reduced inflammatory reaction as well as bone resorption. Studies show that the blood circulation of the gums around ceramics is similar to that of a natural tooth. With titanium, however, the blood supply to the adjacent gums is significantly lower (by 18%) than that of natural teeth. In addition, studies show that bacterial adhesion to ceramics is lower than to titanium. This improves oral hygiene and helps  prevent inflammation of the gums.

Furthermore, zirconium dioxide is very well tolerated by the human body and can therefore also be a good treatment option in case patients have pre-existing conditions and allergies.

Metal-free & corrosion-proof

Ceramic dental implants’ properties are close to those of natural teeth. Zirconium dioxide ceramic is biocompatible and corrosion-proof, which means it is not being degraded by the human body. Even in contact with certain oral bacteria and other dental materials, the ceramic implant surface is not affected. This reduces the likelihood of inflammation of the surrounding gums and bone tissue.

Aesthetics

Besides the health aspect, the aesthetic aspect is also an important criterion when choosing an implant. Ceramic implants fulfill their role as artificial roots in terms of aesthetics and function. The white color of zirconium dioxide is visually superior to the grey titanium, as neither a grey edge appears on the tooth restoration, nor a dark implant core shines through your gums.

Minimised risks

With ceramic implants, you reduce two of several risk factors that can lead to inflammation around the implant in the long term. One is metallic corrosion, which is entirely eliminated when using ceramic implants. The second is minimization of the risk of developing plaque: ceramic implants have a lower plaque affinity than titanium implants.

What treatment options can we offer you?

Implant treatment

1. Diagnosis

Implants are individual solutions for dental restorations. Before any treatment, your dentist will carefully check which treatment options are available in your specific case. The recommendations are based on a comprehensive dental history, x-rays (if the bone situation is unclear, CT or DVT images may be taken) and take into account your own wishes and requirements. Usually models are produced for precise analysis or function tests are carried out. Your dentist will discuss with you which solution is best for you and will carefully weigh up the options. Ask about the advantages, disadvantages and potential risks. There are a small number of pre-existing conditions that in rare cases can mean that implant treatment is not a suitable option. Your experienced dental team will then advise you about possible alternatives.

2. Pre-treatment

Generally, pre-treatments are required for an implant restoration. These ensure that the treatment is successful and improve your oral health in the long term. These may be, for instance, professional teeth cleaning, removing decay or gingival pockets and sometimes also orthodontic treatment or bone grafts.

A strong foundation is essential for the stable anchoring of the implant, i.e. the available jawbone must be sufficiently wide and high. This is not always the case, as a gap that has existed for a long time often means that the bone breaks down in this area. If there is not a sufficient amount of bone available, the jawbone is first restored. The choice of a suitable procedure depends very much on the nature and the extent of the bone loss. Your dentist can give you detailed information about this.

You, as a patient, can also play an active part during the pre-treatment phase to ensure that the subsequent implant therapy is successful. Your practice team will help and advise you.

3. The Implant

The Zeramex implant system consists of several components: the part that is not seen, i.e. the artificial root (the implant) and the part that is seen, that is called the prosthetic restoration (crown/bridge/prosthesis) which is later individually manufactured, usually in the dental laboratory. Both parts are connected using the abutment. The abutment serves as a holder, so that the prosthetic restoration is firmly secured.

4. Implantation

Although we can consider implantation to be a routine procedure these days, it is always a surgical procedure and is performed as gently as possible with the latest anaesthetics and implantation methods. Initially, in most cases a local anaesthetic provides sufficient effect to prepare a suitable implant site in the jawbone. The artificial tooth root is then being placed into the site. During the weeks following the implantation, the body works at integrating the implant into the surrounding bone. So called osteoblasts, the cells that form new bone, start to build up on the implant so that it is gradually enveloped in new bone. This process is called osseointegration. Your dentist will explain what you need to bear in mind before and after an implantation.

5. Healing phase

In order for the implant to become securely embedded in the jawbone, it is covered and stays under the gum until the subsequent restoration can begin. The healing phase (which generally takes 3 to 6 months) can vary and is specified by your dentist. In isolated cases, the inserted implant can also be treated with a provisional restoration immediately. In other words, a provisional treatment made of plastic is used as a temporary solution so that you can impress people with your smile directly after the implantation.

6. Restoration

Once the healing period is over, your dentist will first place the abutment on the implant, which is followed by the permanent restoration (e.g. the crown). To produce the restoration tailored for you, an impression or intraoral scan is taken of your upper and lower jaw and sent to the laboratory. This impression provides the dental technician with all the information he or she needs to tailor a restoration (crown, bridge or prosthesis) specifically for you. To achieve the best result possible it may be necessary to do this in several steps such as trying on the restoration before it is completed.

For a full restoration in an edentulous situation, holders are inserted to which the removable dentures are then anchored. These make it easy to remove the dentures, for example for cleaning, while also ensuring that the prosthesis is secured firmly in place.

7. Care and monitoring

Dentures also require routine care and should be regularly checked by your dental care provider. Alongside normal daily dental care with a toothbrush and other products to clean between the teeth, regular professional teeth cleaning in your dental practice is an important investment in the life of your implants. After the implantation, your practice team will offer you tips and useful products for daily care. Good cleaning and regular checks ensure the long-term success of your implant treatment. This also applies to natural teeth and the surrounding gums. Avoid the risk of gum disease or gingival pockets and help to preserve your oral health far into the future.

Every patient is given his or her own personal Zeramex implant pass after treatment. The label ensures that the implant is fully traceable. Bring your personal implant pass with you to future appointments or treatments.

What are ceramic implant cost ?

Ceramic implant in included zirconia crown 

• • Neodent Zi 90,000 THB
  • Zeramex XT 90,000 THB

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รากฟันเทียมเซรามิก Zi From Neodent

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Before-after ceramic implant