Ceramic Dental Implants: What They Are, How They Work, and Who They're For

Ceramic dental implants are a metal-free alternative to titanium, made from a strong, tooth-coloured material called zirconia.

They're often chosen for their natural appearance, or by patients with a sensitivity to metal.

Traditional titanium implants are still the go-to, with decades of evidence behind them, but ceramic is a solid option for the right case.

What Are Ceramic Dental Implants?

A dental implant is the screw that sits in the jawbone as a substitute tooth root, not the crown you see above the gum.

For a ceramic implant, the screw is made from zirconia.

Zirconia is the crystalline oxide of the metal zirconium, also known as zirconium oxide or zirconium dioxide.

Dentists have used zirconia for years for crowns and bridges, but using a zirconia implant itself is relatively new.

The treatment process is the same as for a titanium implant.

Your dentist prepares the site and places the implant before waiting several months for the bone to fuse around it.

After that, the custom crown can be attached.

If you've heard of 'metal-free dental implants' or 'holistic dentistry', it refers to the same treatment.

Ceramic Vs. Titanium Dental Implants

Titanium implants have been used for decades, so dentists know how they perform, and the success rates are high and consistent.

Ceramic hasn't been around nearly as long, so the evidence is a little thinner.

But this doesn't mean it's any worse; it's just newer.

Metal allergies are often given as the reason for choosing ceramic, though a genuine titanium sensitivity is rare.

Most patients tolerate titanium well, and many choose ceramic for its appearance instead.

Benefits Of Ceramic Dental Implants

The most noticeable benefit of ceramic dental implants is colour.

Zirconia dental implants are white, not grey, so there’s no risk of a dark shadow showing through thin gum tissue the way there can be with titanium.

This matters most on a visible front tooth.

The result blends in with the surrounding teeth far more convincingly.

If going completely metal-free matters, ceramic gives you that with no exceptions.

Allergic reactions to zirconia are rare, which makes it a dependable choice if you have a known (or suspected) metal sensitivity.

It also resists corrosion well in the mouth.

Some early research also suggests zirconia attracts less bacterial plaque than titanium, which may benefit gum health over time, though this isn’t yet the established consensus among researchers.

Ceramic is a good alternative where titanium isn’t suitable, or where a patient wants to avoid metal altogether.

Dr. Mark Flynn

Limitations Of Ceramic Dental Implants

Ceramic implants aren't the right fit for every case, and there are a few trade-offs to weigh up:

• Long-term data is still developing, with nowhere near the 20-year studies that exist for titanium

• One-piece designs leave little room for angle adjustments or customisations

• Two-piece ceramic systems exist but have even less long-term evidence

• Less versatile for complex cases

• Fewer dentists are trained in ceramic placement

• Higher cost than titanium

• Greater risk of fracture under high-load situations

One-Piece Vs. Two-Piece Ceramic Implants

There are two main ceramic dental implant designs:

• One-piece: implant and abutment as a single unit, simpler, fewer bacterial entry points, less adjustable after placement

• Two-piece: separate abutment allows more flexibility, better for complex angulation, but the connection point needs careful hygiene management.
  
  Evidence for two-piece ceramic systems is currently more limited than for one-piece

Cost Of Ceramic Dental Implants in the UK

Ceramic implants typically cost between £2,600 and £3,500 per tooth in the UK, generally more than a titanium implant.

The difference comes down to two things: ceramic components are more expensive to produce, and placing them takes additional specialist training.

Because prices vary between clinics, always check what's included in the price you’re given, using the table below as a guide:

Who Is Suitable For Ceramic Dental Implants?

Ceramic dental implants tend to suit patients with:

• Confirmed or suspected metal sensitivity

• A preference for avoiding metal restorations

• Front teeth or visible areas where thin gum tissue risks a titanium implant showing through

• Good bone volume and a straightforward implant site

They're less suited to:

• Significant bone loss, or implants needing a tricky angle

• A history of teeth grinding or clenching

• Full-arch cases or multiple angled implants

• Conditions affecting healing, such as uncontrolled diabetes, certain osteoporosis medications, or heavy smoking

What Does Ceramic Implant Treatment Involve?

Ceramic implant treatment follows the same stages as a titanium implant: consultation and examination, then a CT scan to plan the implant’s exact position.

Any extractions or bone grafting need to happen first, then the implant is placed under local anaesthetic.

A healing period follows, during which the implant fuses with the bone.

Be cautious of any clinic that suggests that the healing process can be sped up.

Once healing's complete, the final crown is fitted, and the bite is checked, with long-term maintenance continuing from there.

How To Care For Ceramic Dental Implants

Ceramic dental implants are cared for in the same way as your natural teeth:

• Brush daily with a soft brush

• Clean between teeth with interdental brushes or floss

• Keep up with regular hygiene appointments and implant maintenance reviews

• Watch for bleeding, swelling, discomfort, or looseness, and see your dentist straight away

• Avoid habits like grinding or biting hard objects, and ask about a night guard if grinding is ongoing

Are Ceramic Implants Right For You?

Ceramic is a good alternative where titanium isn’t suitable, or a patient wants to avoid metal altogether.

At The Modern Dentist, we'll talk you through both options and recommend the best one suited to you.

Take A Tour Of Our Shoreditch Clinic For Your Dental Implant Treatment