One of the common trends we are seeing this year is the increasing popularity of metal free dental implants or zirconia dental implants. The benefits of zirconia include: 

1. Superior aesthetics

• Zirconia is tooth-coloured (white), so it blends seamlessly with natural teeth.
• No risk of a grey metal shine-through, especially in patients with thin gums.

2. Metal-free / hypoallergenic

• Ideal if you want to avoid metals or have sensitivities.
• Very low risk of allergic reactions compared to metal-based implants.

3. Lower plaque accumulation

• The ceramic surface tends to attract less plaque and bacteria, which may help gum health.

4. Corrosion-resistant

• Zirconia does not corrode or release ions, making it appealing for patients concerned about long-term material stability.

5. Good soft tissue response

• Some studies suggest improved gum tissue integration and aesthetics around the implant.
   

Losing a tooth in the back of your mouth can feel frustrating. The lower premolars and molars—the teeth you use most for chewing—are especially important for eating, speaking, and keeping your smile healthy. When one of these teeth is lost due to decay, gum disease, or injury, it’s natural to wonder what the best replacement option might be.

While removable dentures and bridges may be an option , we generally recommend dental implants for replacing premolars and molars, especially in the lower jaw. Implants are small titanium posts that act like artificial tooth roots. They are placed into the jawbone and topped with a crown that looks and feels like a natural tooth. Below are the main reasons why implants are often considered the gold standard for replacing missing back teeth.
 

A missing tooth or teeth can be a major dental issue for most people with aesthetic and functional problems. This is not a good look at the front of the mouth but even from the side, a large gap can ruin a smile. Teeth are designed for a certain reason , whether that be for biting and tearing food ( front teeth) or chewing ( molars). The loss of even one tooth can impact on everyday eating habits and long term issues with the bite. For example, teeth will slowly move into the space left by an extracted tooth by either drifting in sideways or the opposing tooth moving up or downwards ( over eruption). This can dramatically impact on how one eats and damage the other teeth in the long term. The answer is to the replace the tooth in good time!

Most dental implants are made from titanium which is classified as a biocompatible material. However, reports have suggested that 0.6% of the population may have a hypersensitivity or allergic reaction to titanium and this would not be a suitable material. Increasing, we are hearing that patients would like to avoid any form of metal within the mouth as a personal choice akin to not having amalgam fillings. This is perfectly acceptable and there is an alternative option with zirconia ( zirconium dioxide) implants. These are metal free dental implants that are white in colour and hence are aesthetically pleasing. We use zirconia a lot in dentistry and the material is routinely used for crowns on back teeth and crowns for implants. We have never come across an allergic reaction to zirconia nor seen any form of hypersensitivity. Zirconia is bioinert meaning it does not release any ions like some metals can which reduces the risk of an immune response.
 

Teeth can be lost for various reasons such as tooth decay, trauma, failed root canal treatments or periodontal (gum) disease. The loss of teeth can have a significant impact on not only everyday function but aesthetics and general confidence when out and about. Replacing missing teeth is vital as this will restore function ( eating is important!) , improve aesthetics and prevent the adjacent and opposing teeth from moving into undesirable positions. The latter is a particular problem if the teeth are not replaced for a few years as this will make any dental implant treatment far more complicated.
 

Have you ever had missing teeth? It is quite embarrassing because you can't smile properly, and you become extra shy. Some people deal with missing teeth by using dentures and or bridges. What's truly remarkable, though, is what dental implants can do for you. Sure, it is all about filling in the missing teeth, but dental implants provide far more benefits than only cosmetics. Here are four benefits you will receive from using dental implants:
 

Our case of the month for September involves a dental implant to replace a missing molar tooth. Initially, the tooth was lost due to extensive tooth decay that was not treatable. This resulted in a space which affected eating. Although back teeth are not particularly visible, it is important to replace them for a number of reasons:
 

1. Restore the bite
2. Prevent movement of the adjacent teeth
3. Prevent movement of the opposite teeth
4. Preserve the jaw bone
5. Aesthetics if visible on smiling

In our case, the missing tooth was on the upper right side:
 

We love transforming smiles; it is what we do and we are the best around! In this modern day and age, we need to be familiar with all of the latest dental techniques, technology and materials to be able to provide stunning smiles. For example, fifteen years ago, dental implants were a rare thing and hardly done. Nowadays, every dental practice on the high street offers dental teeth implants and there are over 400 hundred systems available worldwide, if not more! Of course, it would make sense if the majority of systems had the same design, used the same screws, screwdrivers and other components. Unfortunately, everyone wants to be different and there are thousands of varying components for dental implants. Thankfully, we have numerous implant kits and can manage most of the common systems on the market. Our case, was such a case where we had to work on a dental implant not placed by Dr Nissit Patel and using a different system. We also needed to replace some failing porcelain veneers. The end result was dramatic and a smile transformation in the true sense of the word.
 

Our case of the month for December involves the replacement of a missing lower front tooth using a dental implant. Dental implants are the best way to restore lost teeth; modern day techniques are minimally invasive, quick and virtually pain free. In our case, a lower front tooth was lost due to trauma. As you can see from the photographs, the tooth has been replaced with a virtually identical new dental implant crown.
 

Our case of the month for October is one involving dental implants. Dental implants are the best way to replace missing teeth whether this involves one missing tooth, several teeth or all teeth. After all, what you rather have- a removable plastic plate or a fixed tooth which is almost identical to your own tooth?

Our case is one that spans more than five years and just goes to show how dental implants can look just like natural teeth and how the gum line responds to well planned treatment. Dr Patel replaced a missing canine tooth using an Astra TX implant and over the years the site has improved and actually looks healthier now, over five years on.

The case highlights the importance of proper planning, training, attention to detail and skill when involved with implant dentistry. This is not an easy part of dentistry and takes many years to reach a certain level.

Just take a look at the before and after photographs: