All Zirconium Dental Implants: Opinions?

Zr provides lower levels of phosphates- this will compromise new bone formation relative to oxidized Ti. It is also very difficult to prep- and in the end, you don't really know how strong the remaining material is because there is no way to detect the presence of microfractures. I don't really see an upside to this product, with the possible exception of very thin mucosa in the anterior. If this product appears stark white like the other Procera products, as opposed to shaded, then even in those instances it will be easily detected and of little or no benefit. Strength should not be a concern, other than in the case of microfracture caused in the prepping of the material.

why is the zirconium implant harder to prep? i guess the bone formation issue could be handled by adding some bone when the implant is placed. i think i also read where the zirconium will not corrode over time [like some of the literature says the titanium does]. any one have more thoughts on all this?

The formation of titanium oxide is probably the reason the titanium integrates to the bone. Nobel Biocare has gone to great efforts to make the titanium oxide thicker for better initial integration. However If the oxide surface is too rough it may also alow the oral bacteria to colonize the surface and result in peri-implantitis. No one knows how long the Zirconium will be stable as it absorbs H2o over time??

Dear all, regarding the ZrO2 implants there are still to many wrong rumors and thoughts about it. The material which is used today is not radioactive! Zirconia is aging, but stable enough to survive a long time. The only problem you get if you prep the implant post after surgery. Because of the aging and the mini cracks the implant will probably breake. The white ZrO2 implants having of course some advantages and some disadvantages. The most critical points are: 1.A right design, a ceramic like design is requand ired! (the Nobel Direct implants does not have it, a titanium screw design is wrong) 2.The prosthodontic post of the implant should be standardized, to avoid the material damage preparing. 3. Osseointegration is an issue - as Zirconia is the only bioinert material which our body is tolerating. In the orthopaedic field it is since years well known that Zirconia can not osseointegrate as titanium. The bone to implant contact of normal Zirconia implants is about 30-40%. A rough surface is good, an osseoconductive surface is better. A German compnay called Ziterion launched at the IDS in Cologne such a surface. They have also done a dog study. The advantages of Zirconia implants: A single stage implant is perfect to avoid bone loss (no micro gap, no movement ...) The soft tissue likes the ZrO2 ceramic, the tissue is even grwoing along the implant head The aesthetic is perfect in the anterior region. Ceramic implants will become the future, of course there are still studies and scientific data missing. I can not believe that Nobel will have some real scienticic data available yet. We will see...so far good luck if somebody is starting!

Hi everybody ! I placed the first zirconia implants 4 months before. I am facing the problems spcific of onepiece implants. You can hardly use zirconia implants in the upper front area because of the angulation of the bone ! So i don't see any advantage . The implants have a too smooth surface and the stability suffers a lot. We still don1t know which design is the best for Ti implants. How can we say which design is the best for zirconia implants. We should start placing implants and soon we will finde out where the triks are hiding. Good luck !!

the Z-System all zirconium implant has been on the market in Europe for many years now I believe. Have any of the dentists here placed them? If so, what have you noticed regarding osteointegration, fracture rates, complication rates, aesthetics, etc etc? It seems like we should already have *some* of the answers regarding zirconium implants given the extensive use of them in Europe.

Steven, you are right....In my practice I would use it for esthetic reasons, and if I can not get the propper angulation?.... I definitevly would change metal for other bio-inert materials....but many of us will not see it... metal is metal ...even if Ti works propperly....

Yesterday I removed the first Zi implants. No integration ocuured. Meanwhile I found in the litriture that the osseointegfration of Zi is less than that of Ti !! I lies little above 50% !! Can this damage the image of my practice ? I visited the Z-System in Konstanz. Verry nice people. The problem of the implants is that they has to be prepared with a bur for angulation that causes a lot of cracks ! Meanwhile the firm was taken over by I firm from Switzerland. I visited another producer from Switzerland but they didn't show me any clinical studies. I was very enthusiastic and wanted to establish an organisation for metalfree dentistry. But I heard a lot of problems regarding Zi so can give me somebady a psychological support to continue ? Thanks

Steven, so are you going to try to reinsert the zirconium implant with some added bone to see if it takes the 2nd time around? this being your first and only case with the zirconium, maybe this case had issues such as bad or infected bone that compromised the implant. if you said you placed 50 zirconium implants and 30 or 35 of them failed, then that would be a better indication of things. but placing just 1 and seeing 1 fail is hardly a barometer to measure things by. by the way, does anyone know if nobel biocare officially announced that they are selling their zirconium implant in the USA? i had heard via a colleague that they were suppose to do so this month [may 07].

well talkin about such implants, who do think are the market leaders in Zi implants and Ti implants?

how can the implant market be quantitatively segmented?on the basis of Endosseous,subperiosteal and transmandibular as in theory or on the basis of implants such as Ti and Zi?

Dr Daniel-- so Dr Daniels, who are the market leaders in the zirconium and titanium implants? and what is your opinion on the all zirconium implant?

Dear Collegues I have just published the latest data on osseointegration and soft tissue response to Zirconium dental implants in "Norwegian endocrinology letter". The osseontegration rate was comporable to publications concerning titanium (98%), the soft tissue response however far superior.. doppler x-ray as well as clnical explorative surgeries have furthermore established that the osseointegrative quality was superior to titanium as well. However the osseintegration process is different to Titanium, which has an effect on teh clinical procedure. With regarsd to breakage of the implants we had 8 fractures in 10k implants. There are currently 3 companies producing such implants, namly Z-systems, Ziterion and bredent. Metoxit and NOB are working on one. Currenlty the only implant with clinical data published in peer reviewed journals is teh Z-systems implant. Bredent implants are placed, however i am not sure how many are out there. Ziterion - I still have to see any clinical data. I persoally know of now reputative suergeon using these implants. It all comes back to patient selection, i do personally place aprox 150 titanium and aprox 100 zieconium implants per year.

I must agree with Chris - I have placed 200 custom made zirconia implants using various designs of ''root'' shapes .These have all fulfilled the criteria used for successful integration in titanium implants - some have been in place for 3-4 yrs - excellent soft tissue response and stable bone levels exceeding results obtained with titanium implants - huge advantage in the aesthetic zone. Undoubtedly great potential as further scientific evidence becomes available.

Could Chris provide a citation for the article referenced in the “Norwegian endocrinology letter”. I would like to read the entire article.

So has Nobel Biocare put the all zirconium implant on the U.S. market officially now, or are they still waiting to introduce it?

Honestly, why do you think NOBEL is coming out with this implant....to gain more market share!!! Be careful on using a product that doesn't have extensive research....NOBEL is known for throwing things into the market place and then saying, "Oops! We didn't see that coming..." They are a large company with their best interest in making more MONEY....they always want to be the first in every new technology no matter what the consequences may be, because they can always resort back and say they were the first to try it and when the technology becomes more suseptible for actual implantation....they can then come back and say who came out with it first and has the most experience in that specific area....THEY ARE KNOWN FOR THIS!!! We need to open our eyes as DRs and really look into what is good for the patients long term health!!! YES long term health....why change something that is working well....all they want to do is try to shorten the life cycles and sell it to us that we can make more money faster so they can make more money faster....I suggest you don't be the TEST facilty for potential failure! STICK WITH WHAT WORKS and has worked for the past 25+ years! Let the company do the right thing by doing more long term studies and producing all of the evidence and instead of PARTIAL....which is another problem we have with the big companies!

To my knowledge most implants are placed subgingival,with the abutment and crown being responsible for aesthetic outcome.My question,how is zirconia implant superior to titanium one?

Dr. Lapa-- I have read where the zirconium implant is metal free; some patients prefer not to put any metals, like titanium, into their bodies. I have also read where titanium particles have been found to *leach off* of the titanium implants, and these particles have been found in the nearby tissues; no one really knows if that has an adverse effect on one's health over a long period of time. Titanium might osteo-intergrate better, but the zirconium folks say the zirconium implants are pretty close to having the same integration rate as the titanium.

Dr JB, You are 100% correct, thank you for being so honest. The reason NB is coming out with something new all the time is they have a lot of bacterial problems about their implants (the microgap). They need a one piece implant to prevent these problems. Ti implants work very well, if the bone and soft tissue problems are corrected first the implant will be a success for the patient(function, esthetics, longevity, and gingival health)

The University of Mainz in Germany, Prof. Wagner (Dept. of Maxillo Facial Surgery) just finished to evaluate a dog study (standard model) to compare two types of ziterion zirconia implants from Germany with a titanium implant in the same design and the same rough structure. One zirconia had a normal rough structure, the other the same plus an osseoconductive surface coating. The outcomes are very promising and a bit surprising. Both zirconia groups did osseointegrate after 14 weeks in situ in the same level, the titanium implant as control even a bit less. The evaluation was done by REM to measure the bone to implant contact which has been in the avverage abozt 63% for the zirconia implants. This study has shown that even zirconia implants with a defined rough structure osseointegrate as well as titanium implants. Of course it also depends on the design of the implant. The study will be published as soon as possible in one of the international journals. There is no more questionmark about oseointegration of zirconia implants. The most critical issue is the material itself. The wrong implant design, the wrong manufacturing process as well as the wrong treatment in the dentist hand (like preparing) will influence a lot the long term survival. If everything is done right, you can believe me that a zirconia implant will be break-proof.

Hello, I'm missing tooth #19, and I am seeking information about Zirconia root implants here in the U.S. or in West Coast Canada, but I would go further to see a reputable implantologist. I have a history of osteonecrosis (presumably from taking fosamax), and I have other chronic health issues that cause me to be fearful of titanium implants. Any dentists out there who can provide me with information and/or resources? Thanks.

Dear Coleagues, I have been following your dispute for a long time. You are all right, there is not today an implant perfect for everybody. I used many Ti implants with very good results but in the last year I inserted more then 100 Zirconia Implants with CE accreditation which are excellent and I had no fracture problems. The Zirconia implants integration is excellent and I can send you an article published about my cases. However Zirconia implants seems to be as safe as Ti implants but they have the huge advantage of being white. It is worth to cooperate together for developing Zirconia Implant in near future. I am sure that all big dental companies will introduce the Zirconia alternative in their catalogues. Waiting for your reply, Sincerely, Dr. Bogdan Vladila

Hi How well-suited are zirconia post/crown combos (i.e. like Ceraroot) for a #8 replacement of a metal post/PFM crown? This is not implants per say but rather a post/crown job-how well does the ceramic post integrate into the bone? Anybody know the duration of such a product? Also don't zirconia crowns rub against the other teeth causing wear down? Thanks

Zirconia crowns, like all OTHER ceramic/porcelain crowns, have the potential to accelerate toothwear of opposing dentition. Should it be then, that we always tell our patients to get a splint/nightguard to prevent accelerated wear due to bruxism, as part of the terms before you can promise any warranty to your treatment? I do believe that Zirconia has a great potential of becoming an alternative implant fixture material as opposed to a Ti one. However so far the debate has only been based on limited studies, which is a bit of a pity. It almost seemed like the amalgam/composite resin debate...?

so to repeat my question above, has Nobel Biocare put the all zirconium implant on the U.S. market now, or are they still waiting to introduce it? anyone know about this? if it's not yet on the market, any reason why [eg., technical issues with it]???

Do you know if anyone with MCS (multiple Chemical Sensitivity) thas has had a Zirconium Implant Bridge and if so what, have they had any symptoms from it? Thank you so much.

Have been placing zirconium implants for 3 years now.Had some good integration and some failures . Most of the failures I think was caused by micromovement--tongue thrust etc.All of the implants that failed hd excellent soft tissue integration .What I mean is that there was no infection or inflammation , and the gum seemed "happy" around the implant. I use both the bredent whitesky and z-system implants. The whitesky has a roughened surface and wide thick thread which I think is beter as laminer bone formion is better than next to a very fine thread. I have replaced some failed zirconium implants with wider ones ( 4.5 - mm) and had success the second time round. I have also placed zirconium in to some areas of exceptionally weak bone where I could only have wished for bone formation with great success. The success of zirconium in my practice has been comparable to titanium , providing I kept the implant abutment part well protected out of the bite and the tongues harmfull ways.

I have heard so many controversial things about the zirconium implant. When you visit the sites, they never give you enough information re the studies they do. Or the case studies that are done. The lenght of follow up. How can you start with the use of a product that cannot give you the proper background and honest feedback on 3 years and more. What happens on the implant/bone interface? Can you advise me which website to visit to find this information. Many thanks.

Dear all (especially TP): Quote: "I have also read where titanium particles have been found to *leach off* of the titanium implants, and these particles have been found in the nearby tissues; no one really knows if that has an adverse effect on one’s health over a long period of time." My mother is considering a dental implant with titanium. Her doctor says it's the best solution, mine says it is possible that it will be proven dangerous and even carcinogenic in the future. They are both University professors with published work and partners at the private practice we go to. What's your advise? THANK YOU SO MUCH!!!!!!

DearAll: If anyone knows of A doctor with good experience with zichronia implants in the new york area i would greatly appreciate it.Thank You

Hello, I am a young woman possibly needing a few implants in the future. I do not wish to have metal put into my body and am interested in researching zirconium implants. Are they available in the US anywhere? Or Canada?

Zirconia implants have not shown to be advantageous in any peer reviewed article. First, you have to determine what the benefits to an all zirconia implant would be. Integration of titanium to bone has been proven in hundreds of articles to be safe and predictable in the short and Long term. The first wave of zirconia implants did not show the success rates of titanium. Really, it comes down to the perception that a white implant is more aesthetic. Superior aesthetics of zirconia implant is only considered when the implant is placed in a poor position. Proper placement of a titanium implant yields the same aesthetics. As for tissue "happiness" around zirconia implants, this is anecdotal and not science. Many implant companies that sell titanium implants claim better tissue response compared to other titanium implants based on design. The truth of the matter is that some patients have a "biotype" that is more resistant to inflammation and produces a healthier appearance than other patients. All things being equal, zirconia and titanium have similar tissue responses.

With regards to the Zirconium implant and responded primarily for Dr. JB. I believe the direction of zirconium implants is of a monetary nature, obviously implant companies are out to make money, but I believe it's a multilevel process at this time, not necessarily to just trade titanium for zirconium on the implant itself. Companies like IMZ from way back have experimented with zirconium for a very long time given it's aesthetic value with tissue. But the zirconium implants that you see today from major companies like Nobel aren't there just to make money because of it being different. I believe they learned their lesson with things like the "perfect" implant. What they are needing to do at this time is gain acceptance that zirconium can and will integrate and be accepted as a "surface." With the emergence of companies such as Keystone and soon Thollmen and Nobel which have high end scanning and 3D mapping technology they will be able to manufacture customized "one-piece" implants from zirconium. This would be too cost prohibitive with Titanium but very attainable with zirconium. The eventual endstate would be a scan and a custom, one-piece implant that will eventually not need to be prepped. This can potentially eliminate any micro-gap, custom angulations that aren't strength compromised and a material which is much more friendly to the soft tissue. **And then yes, more money for the implant companies. But hopefully in the long-term at the benefit of the patients. With how effective titanium implants have become these days there doesn't seem to be any great advantage in moving to zirconium on the implant portion itself but gaining acceptance that the material is no worse with regards to integration will open up a whole new world of quiality implant restorations in the future.

A few issues here ,the lack of semi-conductive nature (to encourage cell growth) of titanium and the problems associated with zirconia in hip replacement and flexible nature of titaium.Interest waning in Europe....

Nobel CEO said on 2/11/2008 on stock analyst conference call that the Zirconia implant launch has been delayed at least until 2010. Nobel does have a proprietary surface they are calling ZiUnite. Even so they have pretty much concluded that this implant needs further study and development.

Peter F.; you wrote: "A few issues here, the lack of semi-conductive nature (to encourage cell growth) of titanium...." Peter: could you please explain what you mean when you speak about titanium and "encouraging cell growth?" Are you saying that titanium has been scientifically proven NOT to be a carcinogenic material? I think several posters here are concerned about titanium and whether it may have any link at all to cancer. Thanks in advance for your clarification.

Thanks, RobMee, for recent posting re: Nobel's stock analyst conference call concerning zirconium oxide implants. What about Z-systems, aren't they a competitor with a solid product? If you know, can you take a moment and explain what it is that would make Nobel's now-delayed launch implant so proprietary/advanced? I ask because I am awaiting enough studies, info, re zirc oxide implants, before I decide to have them placed. Also, do you know which zirc oxide implant is most likely to get FDA approval in the near future? Thanks again, GS

Research at german bio-medcine institute in Munich , titanium is the best tolerated bio material , zirconia is a big step back in that issue but read online ,only possible benefit is aesthetics which is not important if placement is goood and bone is stable.

One of our employee's brother is hyper allergic to many materials including ti but is interested in an implant to replace a missing bi. Are there any implant solutions for someone like him? We suggested forgetting the implant and just doing a 3 unit YZ bridge.

We are talking about metal free, but if we look to the periodic system Zi which is a part of zrkonium comes from the same group as Ti. So what I have learned from my high school years is that the elements of the same group have properties like eachother. So I think the difference betweem Titaniumoxide ( also a sort of mineral) will not differ to much from Zirkoniumoxide. The colour is different and because of the crystal structure being a hexagone it is more difficult to prevent progression of fractures as with the real metals. Most times when we drill the temperature arises and this will change the crystal structure making it more prone for fractures. That is probably the same reason when we find titaniumoxide particles sheared of from the implants. These structures have other properties then metals and are stringer but more prone for fracturing like your porcelain. We are talking about biomechanics and there isn't any material that will offer everything we want in this way. If we want that we must go to the field of tissue-engenering, but then we have again the troubles of tooth-decay. So there are always advantages and disadvantages and personally I think the zirkoniumimplants have a niche functio in replacing single teeth, but I am waiting to see what will happen if we try to use them in large brigde constructions, because we need some elastic features for this kind of structure. I think we can learn a lot of bridge builders---> they calculate which materials they have to use by their properties and not to put them in place and see if the survival rate is as great as we want it to be. In y opinion is that the sortcomming I have that don't have the background to judge these materials like the engeneers. I do have leared some things about materials and their properties but think it is not enough and that is why we let us sell everything some sponsored collegeus say that it works. We see this even in the discussion above by some collegues mentioning brands. They just say those thinks because of clinical date which are important, but we can't predict as a dentist the features in front

I'm a patient...I have three extractions, failed root canals (I have autoimmune disorders) - done two months ago - I hear time is fleeing and I have two dentists with opposed opinions, one thinking NO implant is good, and the other doing zirconium. What do patients do? I am so afraid of being toothless!!

I currently need implants to raplace teeth # 12,13,14,15,2,3 & 19. I lack accurate knowledge of current research, but feel that a non-metal implant is a better option for me. I live in South Orange County, CA and would like to know if there are dentists in my area that are successfuly using zirconium implants. Thanks a lot.

Can anyone please say who the top surgeons or implantologists are in europe for zirconium that have the best track record because i am thinking about traveling from the usa to europe for an implant with zirconium. Or where I can find this information out. Thank you!!!

Dear nirmada, you may seach for a company called Dental-Offer. They do metal free implants and have the according experience. I have just been at their clinic in Bratislava for several cerec crowns and I was impressed by their service and medical standards. Good luck!

I need to get rid of a root canal tooth soon (have had inflammation since the tooth was done, perhaps because of possible leaking)and want to opt for Zirconium as a metal free option. Anyone know of experts in their field who can do this in South Africa or Cape Town? Thankyou

Dear Nirmada Wait until it is available in your own country if possible.Zirconium implant are a one piece structure and you will need to see your dentist quite a few times over a period of 4 - 6 months for monitoring of the healing. because it is a one piece structure zirconium implants stick out of the gum and is more prone to tongue interference and bite interference during the healing period. I would advice you against travelling across the atlantic to have this done , unless you are a aircrew and Uk/Europe is almost your second home.

Herman, why do you feel a non-metal impalnt is better for you.

Are metal-free zirconium implants available in the U.S.? or they haven't been approved yet?

Titanium is low magnetic, thou still magnetic, not good in these days of wireless internet and mobil cellphones ..., it conducts electrical current, and conducts radio waves, might become waking radio. This all is not a case with ZrO2 implants. Non magnetic, isolator, and rejects radio waves, used to protect human head from radiation of receivers in cellphones, and yet it is material already used as bone substitution within human body which makes it very biocompatible

Hi all, It´s very interesting the discussion, but, in fact, Zirconia is a metal, no a ceramic material.

It's very interesting how uninformed you are. Zirconia is a ceramic, not a metal.

Zirconium is NOT a metal Dr V read some papers! Titanium metal implants have a proven track record for almost 50 years with literally millions of implants being placed Nobody is becoming a walking radio with implants ..lets not get carried away here! A mouth full of implants with metallic superstructure will not set off detectors in the airport either. There is no evidence to suggest that titanium does not work ..on th contrary in fact Ceramic/Zirconia CROWNS have been around for a long time ..this is not the same thing I am yet to see a case of true hypersensitivity to Titanium.(16 years of placing implants) A zirconium implant will not offer better aesthetics in the vast MAJORITY of cases ...zirconium abutments or crowns can sometimes improve aesthetics Zirconium bridgework and crown work sometimes looks better definatly not always Understand difference between crowns abutments and implants i am sure we will have zirconia implants ultimatly ..but no need to stop titanium ..there is nothing about Ti that does not work?? They will certainly be more expensive ..

Go to a chemistry book and look up the definition of metal. You will see that zirconium is most definiteley a metal. On Wikepedia it is listed under the heading of Transition Metals.

Ceramic implants have come and gone for the last 2 to 3 decades. I am going to sit on the fence with this one. I do know that large ceramic ,materials such as large particle graft products are hard on the immune systen and such particles are found, after gradting in the RES.

Zirconium is a metal. But zirconia (chemically zirconium dioxide), is a ceramic.

Does anyone know if it is a good idea to move implants with orthodontic braces? Or would it be better to have the extracions and prosthetics done after? no.'s 7,8,9 have root canals and crowns right now. Any opinion would be apreciated.

You can't move implants. No PDL.

Thanks for the info. I had an apicoectomy on #7, the cyst was about the size of a golfball and extended to the maxillary sinus! Since I can still feel pressure with that tooth, does that mean my PDL is still functional?

My upper front left tooth was fractured by my dentist whilst removing a veneer in 2007. He couldn't be sure where the fracture was but now it seems that the tooth is fractured into the root. The tooth has been root filled and temporarily crowned. I have a weird sensation in the gum above the exposed tooth going up as far as my nose. I have now been told that the best option for me is extraction and either an implant or bridge. I am not keen to have a titanium implant and am keen to understand more about the possibility of having a zirconia implant. Can anyone tell me whether zirconia implant would be an option for my upper front tooth, what brand is most reliable and recommend an implantologist in the UK to do the work.

Tracey, What is the concern over a titanium implant? They are very reliable. If it is esthetics that you are concerned with, the abutment would play a bigger factor than the implant itself. The abutment is what is placed on the implant to provide support for your crown. zirconium abutments will work fine if that is your concern. My lab can create shaded zirconia abutments that will look closer to a natural tooth prep than most on the market. Contact me at classiccrown@comcast.net if you need more info on this.

I need to get two implants #18 &19. Due to several health issues I would like to place Sapphire implants or Zirconia not titanium. I am a dentist and do not know any one in U.S. or Canada that uses these implants. Does any one know of a very good Periodontist/O.S. who places these kind of implants?

Please let me know when zirconium implants are approved for use in the United States. Thank you, Barry

They will be a bear to prep and will have a limited use.

I was told I was allergic to titanium by a biologic dentist that I consulted. I need 2 or 3 implants but my sinuses might be low as well, which I know can be a factor. Is ANYONE having success with the Zirconium implants? Are their any other alternatives to Titanium? Thanks for any feedback. I'm trying to stay on top of the research. I was also told that the Zirconium implants had not turned out to be as successful as they had anticipated they would be? Anyone? Thanks, Betty

Thank you for this thread. Considering implants and wanted more info on Zirconium. It appears it still doesn't have a huge following and is not available in North America. I need info on best holistic implant dentist in Vancouver or anywher in Canada. Thanks in advance! Darleane

The problems I is see with zirconia or sapphire implants are as follows: 1.usually when placing dental implants one does not have a perfect angulation for the crowns to go atop, thus the need for angled abutments, also these materials are difficult at best to prepare with a high speed handpiece, 2.these materials are far more expensive that titanium alloy so your back pocket will take a big hit. I am not disputing the biocompatability of zirconia and sapphire, but they are not practical at this time.

I know that Zirconium is different than Zirconia. What I am interested in are the inclusion of metal salts or trace metals in the Zirconia. Does anyone have any info on this? I have been asked about this by some holistic patients and have not been able to find the answer. Also, thanks for this thread, more helpful than most by far! Many of my patinets seem to think that ceramic implants are the answer to all of their prayers regardless of any posssible negatives. Thanks for giving pro and con here.

Is there anyone doing full Zirconium implants in Vancouver, Canada. Especialy from a holistic dentist? Thank you. MR

Dear All: I have several patients who have been severely immunocompromised by heavy metal poisoning and are asking for synthetic sapphire, zircon,or bone dental implants. Does anyone know of an experienced oral surgeon or safe dentist (in US,Canada, or particularly JAPAN), who is placing these types of metal-free, biocompatible implants? Thank you

Dear Dr.S, I just came back from a holictic dental meeting in Scottsdale Az where we got our training in placing Zr implants, I think I can help you and your patients with placing Zr implants, please let me know, Dr.M.

Dr. M, I strongly question the use of zirconia for dental implants. THE MUDULUS OF ELASTICITY MAY BE TO GREAT, THUS YOU WILL GET BONE ATROPHY AND D AS I UNDERSTAND THE AMMOUNT OF BONE TO IMPLANT SURFACE IS ONLY 30 TO 40 %.

Sorry Richard but implant surface contact to bone in zirconium implants is less than 5% compared to titanium, if you use a good surface treatment! The problem of zirconium is the corrosion in water, that no one else know

where can i find more reasearch on the Zr implant corrosion in water?

A lot of literature reviews have been published on the efficacy of zirconia implants. Their use in your practice at the present time maybe be disputed with the lack of long term clinical studies. But zirconia has already had a huge standing in that, it is a biocompatible, inert material. Although there are those of you that strongly support titanium implants, but to be fair, we must as a profession encourage the emergence of the application of a new material. :)

Hi I am very interest to know about micro crack in relation to zr please if you have any article sent it for me Thanks

dentist in atlanta are who does zirconium implants?????? thank you, k.

Dear katharine dahl, There is a company in North Attleboro distributing the Z-Systems Zirconium oxide implant system. The name of the implant system is Z-Look3 and it is FDA proven. I know Dr. Salama in Atlanta does place these Zirconia implants. Mike

Is there a central listing of US dentists who place zirconium implants? Or, at least, is anyone familiar with any in the Denver, CO area?

I've read all these posts, and one thing is obvious - American dentistry is lagging FAR behind in the newest and possibly best procedures. I have asked dentists about the Zi and they had NEVER EVEN HEARD of it. But you can bet your bottom dollar their prices are hyper-inflated and UP TO DATE! Practices in Costa Rica do the Zi implants for 900 USD.

Saw that a seminar was given in Scottsdale, Arizona to implant the zirconia. Is there a dentist/oral surgeon who practices in Tucson, Arizona who has this available now? I need 3 Zro2 implants asap. Thanx for any leads.

Does anyone have any contacts for experienced dentists that have successfully done Zi on the front two upper teeth? Any leads in the USA and or abroad like Costa Rica, Mexico, Thailand, and beyond. Thank you.

I read debate about whether Zirconia is a metal or ceramic. It is a transition metal. It is interesting to work with as a dental tech. It behaves like a ceramic in that it is brittle and somewhat translucent and can fracture like anything ceramic. Also, is is harder than titanium & non-precious metals and only diamond wheels/burs can do it properly. It can spark like metal. I purposefully reamed into a discarded implant bridge until it fractured - to create a high heat situation/ experiment - and I have taken hammers etc. to copings and microscopically examined them. It is best for aesthetics but, as one doctor here said, from the technical point of view, as long

I read debate about whether Zirconia is a metal or ceramic. It is a transition metal. It is interesting to work with as a dental tech. It behaves like a ceramic in that it is brittle and somewhat translucent and can fracture like anything ceramic. Also, is is harder than titanium & non-precious metals and only diamond wheels/burs can do it properly. It can spark like metal. I purposefully reamed into a discarded implant bridge until it fractured - to create a high heat situation/ experiment - and I have taken hammers etc. to copings and microscopically examined them. It is best for aesthetics but as long as the implant is positioned well / subgingivally, a technician can make a nice labial presentation /gingival margin

So appreciative of all this information. One thing I'd like to throw out for discussion is the role of Zi implants in avoiding excessive future electromagnetic radiation/attraction in our mouths. As this pollutant in our environment only increases, would this be a considered reason to use the Zi as opposed to the Ti, avoiding increasing, deleterious magnetic attraction? A previous post called Zi a "transition metal"; what exactly does that mean in this regard? As one post said, this is about all FUTURE bio-compatability and so we should be factoring in our toxic environmental soup as well as our bodily receptors themselves.

Does anyone know specifically who places zirconium oxide implants in Costa Rica?

I am very very new to this debate and did not even check when the last post was made, so i may be well off the mark, BUT: from what i have read today, it seems that alot of people have had similar side effects from titanium, these have included awful tastes being produced in their mouths, legargy, and difficulty walking. I'm not suggesting it's an inferior material for use, and it seems to have done well for some over the years, but i feel it is time to move on, hence my research into non metal implants, as i said i am very new to this debate, and am finiding it hard to come across reliable information, these threads seem to hold the best information, so i thank you for that! Just wanted to share my minute observations regarding ti. If anyone has any info on zirconium implants in the pacific region, please post. Thanks!

I have been following this Zi versus Ti implant discussion with interest. I agree that Zirconium is a metal in a similar position in the periodic table.It is more bio-inert due to its ceramic- or glasslike outer surface which is formed during its high temperature sintering manufacture. Zi does not integrate with an oxide layer like Ti . I would agree that intra-oral prepping could adversely affect Zi-implants and therefore stress that accurate placement (and avoidance of occlusal and tongue interference as my son,Anton correctly points out)is essential. As many other commentators have pointed out,the surface anatomy of Zi-implants is the same as most Ti-implants. As such both types illicit a layer of appositional bone.This appositional bone is strong enough in most Ti-implants (oxide layer)but not enough for Zi-implants. This, I feel ,is the reason for many of the Zi-Implants I have placed coming loose 8-12months after successful placement and restoation. Another consideration being the possibly compromized intra-osseus bloodflow in many immune-compromized patients (metal-toxicity,cavitations,bi-phosphanates) I would love to see a Zi-implantwith the deep,parallel fin system of the Bicon Ti-Implant--A much thicker type of bone layer is formed and it is microscopically full of Havers Canals.A mechanically strong and well nourished bone in and around deep Zirconium fins will additionally allow one to place shorter and thicker Zi-implants. An advantage when one sees so much pre-implant bone loss(you need much more bone with Zi-implants) The metal leach out mentioned by other commentators is going to become a problem especially when reading how Titanium has been shown to be capable of changing the DNA-genome. Galvanism between the different metals in the mouth and/or orthopaedic prostheses is also a future problem. Has anyone seen the black tissue discolouration around a hip prosthesis that is beng replaced ? It is not pretty. The question of bacterial toxic microleakage at the implant-abutment interface is a vital one. When reading the emerging articles of how mere periodontitis increases the risk of myocardial infarction etc.and seeing the loss of bone around the implant -abutment interface, one cannot help but wonder if we are not Saving the Mouth and Sacrificing the Patient. The melisa test is,at present,the assessment of choice in deciding whether to use Zi or Ti We are all at risk of legal actions and must not be shown to be complacent and totally reliant on what the manufacturers are assuring us.

Peter Bishoff; Your thoughts are appreciated. However, we also have to subscribe to conventional (mainstream) treatment and not that of questionable literature or data. Those of us that have been in dentistry for some time have seen a lot of trends come and go.

could u please guide me with the effect of water sorption on zirconia implants and radioactive isotopes and there effect on oral cavity thanks

I've heard about fully formed (CAD) zirconia implants that are simply inserted in the hole left by the extracted tooth. Seems to me this is a marvelous technology that should be implemented more widely implemented. Website: BioImplant.at .......z

Hans: It is a bit more involved.

My impression is that there are differences between placing titanium and ceramic implants and that just because one has experience with the former doesn't mean one can do the latter without additional training--and preferably more than just a weekend seminar. Is this correct?

Does anyone with experience placing ceramic one-piece implants have an opinion about immediate placement (and temporary crown) following extraction vs. doing it in stages (extraction and socket grafting, healing, implant placement)? This would be particularly for anterior areas, if it makes a difference.