When you have missing teeth to replace, implants are the ideal choice. They work like artificial roots on which we can place crowns, bridges – even full dentures! In terms of both look and function, they’re the closest thing to natural teeth that you can get.
It’s even better when those implants are 100% ceramic rather than a titanium alloy.
The zirconia used to make ceramic dental implants is broadly biocompatible, less likely to cause an allergic reaction. They don’t corrode as the common metal implants can, so they don’t release metal ions into the body. They’re less likely to cause chronic inflammation.
Ceramic implants have better aesthetics, too. If you have thin or receding gums, titanium can show through over time, creating a dark shadow. This is simply a non-issue with zirconia, which is much closer to natural tooth color.
As a biological dental practice, we never use metal when replacing or restoring teeth. Biocompatibility reigns supreme.
We also incorporate supportive therapies that most mainstream offices don’t. One of these is medical grade ozone, a safe but powerful natural antimicrobial that’s been shown to reduce pain and inflammation, and promote better healing after implant surgery. Another is platelet rich fibrin, or PRF for short.
PRF is a natural healing material that’s 100% biocompatible because it’s made from a small sample of your own blood. We put that sample in a special centrifuge that separates the blood into layers. The PRF layer contains a high concentration of platelets, growth factors, and proteins. When applied to the surgical site, PRF stimulates new tissue growth and blood vessel formation. It helps speed up the healing process while also reducing swelling and discomfort after the implants have been placed.
Research has shown that PRF may also reduce bone loss and enhance implant stability while the implants integrate with the surrounding bone – a process called osseointegration. Now, a new review of the science in Heliyon confirms a role for PRF in implant surgery.
Its authors started by searching five major databases of medical research for studies on the association between PRF and dental implants. To be included, the study had to be a randomized clinical trial that involved at least 10 patients. Twenty-two studies of a few hundred total made the initial cut, and of these, 12 met all of the authors’ criteria. Those 12 studies underwent both qualitative analysis and meta-analysis.
The results of these analyses suggested that
PRF can increase implant stability after implant surgery. PRF may also have a role in accelerating bone healing and tends to promote new bone formation at the implant site.
And this is key, for just like natural teeth, implants need strong, healthy bone with which to integrate. PRF promotes that, as well as enhances the patient’s healing experience overall, giving them everything to smile about with their beautiful new teeth.