Zirconia vs Titanium in Oral Implantology
by Karthik Sivaraman
BDS, MDS
Abstract
Titanium is the considered as the gold standard and most widely used material for production of dental implants. Of late questions have been raised over the choice of Titanium due to reports of hypersensitivity reactions and potential toxic effects. Moreover, its unesthetic grey hue along with the trend of patients progressively demanding for metal free options has resulted in researchers exploring alternative materials for implants. This quest for a credible alternative has led to the introduction of Zirconia as a dental implant material. It is claimed that Zirconia demonstrates superior biocompatibility, aesthetic and optical properties, apart from comparable osseointegration to Titanium implants. This chapter critically explores the question whether Zirconia is a credible alternative to Titanium. Are the mechanical properties really comparable to Titanium? Does the use of Zirconium translate to superior clinical results as documented with Titanium over a long period of time? What are the drawbacks or limitations which need to be considered while selecting a Zirconia implant system? In this chapter, we explore these questions based on evidence existing in literature to provide insight to the readers.