Metal Free Implants

What are metal-free implants?

Metal-free implants are small, screw-like posts placed beneath your gum line during an outpatient procedure. Following placement, the implants osseointegrate with your natural bone, providing a base for biocompatible dental restorations.

At Holistic Smiles LA, Dr. Monempour uses metal-free implants manufactured by Swiss Dental Solutions and Zeramex. These implants are unique because they are made of zirconia, a synthetic ceramic that’s as sturdy as titanium but entirely metal-free. As a result, there’s no risk of mercury or other toxins entering your bloodstream.

What are the benefits of metal-free implants?

Compared to traditional titanium-alloy metal implants, zirconia implants offer patients a reduced risk of reactivity. They are more biocompatible and very esthetic in nature because they are white. Zirconia implants provide various benefits, including:

• Improved oral health
• Easier biting and chewing
• Confidence
• Durability
• Esthetics
• Stable gingival results
• Convenience

What does getting metal-free implants involve?

At Holistic Smiles LA, getting metal-free implants requires at least three visits over six to nine months. 

First, the team requests a blood test to see your vitals to ensure your body can accept and osseointegrate the implant without the chance of implant failure. Once established, the team takes a CT scan and a 3-dimensional X-ray to ensure an implant will fit. A CT scan also shows surrounding structures, like nerves and sinus cavities. 

With the CT scan, the team at Holistic Smiles LA will perform a virtual surgery, where they digitally place an implant on a 3D rendering of your jaw from the CT scan, making sure they don’t hit any vital structures. Once satisfied, they send this newly gathered information to the lab to create a surgical stent. 

With this stent, Dr. Monempour performs a guided implant surgery. Meaning, the stent will guide the implant placement precisely the same way as the virtual simulation. After the implant is placed, it takes 3 to 6 months for osseointegration to complete. Then, Dr. Monempour will start the process of making a crown.

If Dr. Monempour determines you can benefit from metal-free implants, he numbs your mouth with a local anesthetic. He places several implants into your gum line during a brief oral surgery. The number of implants you receive depends on several factors, including the number of teeth you’re missing and the type of restoration you want.

Following implant placement, Dr. Monempour prescribes pain medication (if needed) and provides at-home care instructions.

Second metal-free implants visit

Once the metal-free implants finish integrating with your jaw, Dr. Monempour takes digital scans of your mouth and sends them to a dental facility that creates your custom biocompatible restorations.

Third metal-free implants visit

When your biocompatible restorations are finished, Dr. Monempour attaches the biocompatible restorations to your metal-free implants, restoring your smile to its vibrant, near-original condition.

How long do metal-free implants last?

If you practice good oral hygiene and visit Holistic Smiles LA every three to six months for an oral exam and professional teeth cleaning, your implants can last a lifetime. It’s also a good idea to wear a mouthguard when playing sports or doing activities that could put your teeth at risk.

To see if you can benefit from metal-free implants, make an appointment at Holistic Smiles LA by calling the office today. 

*Individual results may vary.