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Dr. Sebastian Krause

 

Kistlerhofstraße 172c, 81379 München

[Translate to English:] Mo: 08:30 - 20:00 Uhr
Di: 08:30 - 19:00 Uhr
Mi: 08:30 - 19:00 Uhr
Do: 08:30 - 19:00 Uhr
Fr: 08:30 - 19:00 Uhr

All appointments by appointment

 

Free parking is available for our patients in the parking garage under the practice.

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Dental implants

A comprehensive solution for replacing missing teeth

What Exactly Are Dental Implants?

Dental implants are a well-established method, in use for decades, to replace missing teeth—whether just one tooth is missing or all of them. Dental implants offer nearly the same comfort as natural teeth, both in appearance and function. Compared to removable dentures, the improvement in quality of life is incomparable. Additionally, dental implants eliminate the need for the uncomfortable grinding down of adjacent teeth.

What Are Dental Implants Made Of?

Dental implants are typically made of pure titanium and are anchored in the jawbone. A discovery by a Swedish doctor revealed that even mirror-polished titanium forms an almost inseparable bond with human bone without triggering a defensive reaction from the body.

A screw-shaped titanium body, known as an implant, is inserted into the jawbone. After insertion, this implant must heal beneath the oral mucosa for about three months before the missing tooth can be completed.

What Is Visible of the Dental Implant?

The visible part of the tooth in the oral cavity is called the crown. Whether it is a natural tooth or an implant-supported tooth, it is always referred to as a crown.

What Are Crowns Made Of?

Crowns on implants are usually made of high-strength ceramic and are indistinguishable in color and shape from natural teeth. Today's ceramics are so durable that fractures are now rare compared to earlier times. About three months after the implantation, a ceramic crown is placed onto the titanium implant, which then functions almost like a natural tooth.

What Options Do Dental Implants Offer?

In which situations does it make sense to use a ceramic or titanium implant? Below, we describe three possible scenarios:

A Single Tooth Is Missing: If a single tooth is missing, we recommend a titanium implant combined with a ceramic crown.

Several Teeth Are Missing: When several teeth in a row are missing, each missing tooth can be replaced with an individual implant and ceramic crown. However, in cases where, for example, three molars are missing, it might be more practical to place an implant only at the beginning and the end of the gap. These two implants can then be connected with a ceramic bridge, creating a stable and aesthetic replacement for the missing teeth.

All Teeth Are Missing: When all teeth are missing, it's usually unnecessary to place an implant for each tooth. In this case, between 6 and 8 implants per jaw are typically required to support a full fixed bridge that replaces all missing teeth. Unlike a traditional full plastic denture, this approach allows the palate to remain uncovered.

A plastic denture that covers the palate often causes discomfort when swallowing, speaking, and tasting food. Additionally, full dentures frequently become loose, making it difficult to chew hard foods and sometimes leading to uncomfortable social situations.

 

Environmental Dentistry with Ceramic Implants

Ceramic implants made from zirconia are now a viable alternative to conventional titanium implants. These implants are highly compatible with the body and integrate into the bone as securely as a natural tooth. Implants have become the most attractive form of dental restoration, offering both security and an aesthetic appearance. They enhance self-confidence and improve quality of life. Implants replace lost teeth so effectively that they often last longer than natural teeth. Whether replacing a single tooth or restoring a full set of teeth with multiple implants, the material used should remain stable, neutral, and compatible over decades.

 

High-Performance Ceramic: Zirconium Dioxide

Zirconium dioxide, a high-performance ceramic long used in orthopedics for artificial hip joints, meets this requirement better than any other material. Zirconium dioxide is a white, metal-free, immunologically neutral, and biocompatible material with numerous advantages over metal. Whether due to a titanium allergy or a preference for a metal-free solution for other reasons, these highly aesthetic white ceramic implants made from this advanced material are an excellent choice. Current studies suggest that they are equivalent to titanium implants in terms of performance and reliability.

Metal Implant or Ceramic Implant: Which Is More Compatible?

While the use of metals in the oral cavity can negatively affect the entire body, ceramic implants are exceptionally compatible because they are completely metal-free and 100% biocompatible. Thanks to their optimal tissue compatibility, the regeneration of gum tissue around the implant is very successful, and zirconia can even bond with the gum. The new and effective surface structures of ceramic implants reduce the formation of bacteria and plaque, significantly lowering the risk of gum inflammation—potentially even less than with natural teeth. The specific surface texture, combined with threads designed to match the bone, allows for excellent integration of the implants, which can often be loaded after just a few weeks.

Ceramic implants are available for all needs, allowing the dentist to select the best possible implant for each situation. Additionally, the entire implantation process can be metal-free, as the instruments are made from the same high-tech ceramic as the implants and crowns, ensuring that no metal traces are left behind in the bone.

 

 

 

 

No Metal Abrasion – No Electrical Interactions

 

When a titanium implant is placed, metal particles can be abraded, which can be detected in body tissues and the bloodstream. This issue is entirely avoided with ceramic implants. Using ceramic implants supports a more biologically compatible approach to dentistry, preventing the release of harmful titanium oxides into the bone and gum tissue.

Moreover, the surface of ceramic implants is exceptionally smooth, leading to less bacterial plaque buildup compared to titanium or natural teeth. This reduces the risk of inflammation or allergic reactions. Since ceramic is not a metal, it also eliminates the potential for electrical interactions with metal fillings or metal-containing dental restorations, which can occur with titanium implants. As a result, ceramic implants do not cause any taste disturbances.

The Aesthetics of Zirconia

 

From an aesthetic standpoint, zirconia is an excellent choice. With titanium implants, there is a risk that the implant may show through the gum tissue, creating a dark shadow. This can be particularly noticeable and bothersome when smiling, especially in the upper front teeth area. In contrast, ceramic implants are naturally white, providing the highest level of aesthetics while ensuring optimal health. This combination results in the most beautiful smile, along with maximum vitality and quality of life.

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Properties of Ceramic Implants

Ceramic implants made from zirconium dioxide offer a range of unique characteristics that set them apart from conventional titanium implants. These properties make them an attractive option for certain patients and situations:

  • Reduced Flexibility: Compared to titanium implants, ceramic implants are less flexible, meaning they are less likely to twist under chewing forces within the bone. This can lead to more stable anchoring and reduce the risk of complications.

  • Better Tissue Compatibility: Soft tissue tends to adhere better to zirconium dioxide, resulting in a more natural integration of the implant with the surrounding tissue. This can enhance aesthetics and contribute to a more stable outcome.

  • No Defined Transition: Unlike titanium implants, ceramic implants do not require a defined transition between the implant and the abutment. This can allow for a simpler and more natural placement of the implant.

  • Maximal Preservation of Soft Tissue: Due to the white color and tissue integration of ceramic implants, it is often unnecessary to place them deeply in the bone. This helps in preserving the soft tissue and maintaining an optimal aesthetic appearance.

  • Controlled Healing Process: During post-implantation monitoring, ceramic implants offer a more neutral healing process and show fewer signs of inflammation compared to titanium implants.