Materials
What your implant is actually made of
A reference database covering every material commonly used in implant dentistry.
Implant post / crown material
Zirconia
Zirconia is a high-strength ceramic (yttria-stabilized zirconium dioxide) used to manufacture metal-free implant posts, abutments, and crowns.
Implant post material
Titanium
Titanium and titanium alloys have been the standard material for dental implant posts since the 1960s, prized for strength, flexibility, and an extensive long-term research record.
Implant and restorative material
PEEK
PEEK (polyether ether ketone) is a high-performance thermoplastic polymer used in some dental and orthopedic applications. In dentistry, it appears in certain implant frameworks, temporary restorations, and surgical guides — though it is not currently a mainstream choice for permanent implant posts.
Crown and bridge ceramic material
E.max (Lithium Disilicate)
IPS e.max is a lithium disilicate ceramic widely used for dental crowns, veneers, and small bridges. It offers exceptional optical translucency that closely mimics natural tooth structure, making it a leading choice for esthetic restorations — particularly for front teeth where appearance is the priority.
Surgical augmentation material
Bone Graft Materials
Bone graft materials used in implant dentistry include the patient's own bone (autograft), donor bone from a tissue bank (allograft), animal-derived bone substitute (xenograft), and fully synthetic bone substitute (alloplast) — each with different biological, ethical, and cost profiles.
Restorative crown materials
Dental Crown Materials
Dental crowns are available in several material types including all-ceramic (zirconia, E.max), porcelain-fused-to-metal (PFM), and full-metal — each with different strength, appearance, and longevity profiles suited to different tooth locations and priorities.
Implant component material
Abutment Materials
The abutment — the connector piece between the implant post and the crown — can be made from titanium, zirconia, or a titanium base with a zirconia overlay, each with different gum tissue appearance and strength characteristics.
Material safety and selection
Biocompatible Dental Materials
Biocompatibility in dentistry refers to a material's ability to function in the oral environment without causing harm to surrounding tissues. Both titanium and zirconia are considered highly biocompatible; other materials used in dentistry vary in their evidence base and patient tolerance.
Material safety
BPA in Dental Materials
BPA (bisphenol A) is found in trace amounts in some composite resin and dental sealant formulations as a breakdown product of the base monomer BisGMA. The research on clinical significance of dental BPA exposure remains limited, though BPA-free formulations are increasingly available.
Metal allergens in dental materials
Nickel in Dentistry
Nickel is one of the most common contact allergens and is found in some dental alloys used in older crowns, orthodontic wires, and certain partial denture frameworks — making it a meaningful consideration for patients with known nickel sensitivity choosing dental materials.
Material safety
Ceramic Material Safety
Dental ceramics including zirconia, E.max, and feldspathic porcelain have well-established safety profiles in clinical use — considered biocompatible, non-corroding, and non-reactive in the oral environment, with no significant metal-related sensitivities applicable.
Restorative filling material
Composite Resin
Composite resin is the most common material for tooth-colored fillings today, replacing silver amalgam for most cavity restorations. It consists of a resin base and filler particles, offering good aesthetics and a reasonable lifespan for most cavity sizes.
Restorative and luting material
Glass Ionomer
Glass ionomer cement is a restorative material that chemically bonds to tooth structure and releases fluoride, making it useful in specific applications like filling cavities near the gumline, cementing crowns and bridges, and pediatric dentistry — though it has lower strength than composite for high-stress areas.
Luting and bonding materials
Dental Cement Types
Dental cements are used to permanently or semi-permanently attach crowns, bridges, and other restorations to teeth or implant abutments. Common types include zinc phosphate, glass ionomer, resin-modified glass ionomer, and resin cement — each with different strength, solubility, and technique requirements.
Dental material
Zirconia
Zirconia is a material referenced in implant and restorative dentistry. This entry covers what it is, where it's used, and how it compares on biocompatibility and longevity.
Dental material
Titanium
Titanium is a material referenced in implant and restorative dentistry. This entry covers what it is, where it's used, and how it compares on biocompatibility and longevity.
Dental material
E.max Ceramic
E.max Ceramic is a material referenced in implant and restorative dentistry. This entry covers what it is, where it's used, and how it compares on biocompatibility and longevity.
Dental material
Implant Coating
Implant Coating is a material referenced in implant and restorative dentistry. This entry covers what it is, where it's used, and how it compares on biocompatibility and longevity.