Titanium allergies are quite rare, occurring in only about 0.6% of all people. But if you do have a titanium allergy, or suspect you may be allergic to titanium, this may interfere with your ability to get dental implants. Luckily, there are a few alternatives to traditional titanium implants. In this blog post from Fischl Dental Associates, we’ll discuss everything you need to know.

Why Are Dental Implants Made Of Titanium?

Titanium is used for dental implants because it has the unique ability to bond permanently to natural bone. This property was discovered in the 1950s, and was first used to create a dental implant in the 1960s. 

Over time, titanium implants “osseointegrate” with the bone and form a permanent bond. With proper care and cleaning, they will never fail, and will become a natural part of your mouth. This is why titanium is the preferred choice for most types of dental implants.

Titanium Allergy Symptoms & Tests

Not sure if you have a titanium allergy? Some of the common symptoms of a titanium allergy to a dental implant include hives and bumps in the mouth, dry patches of gum tissue, inflammation of the gums around the implant, and sores or swelling in the oral soft tissues.

It’s possible to detect a titanium allergy ahead of time with a MELISA test. This type of blood test isolates your white blood cells, exposes them to titanium and measures the immune response to titanium. This is much more accurate than a traditional skin patch allergy test, so it’s the recommended method of allergy testing before you get an implant at Fischl Dental.

Zirconia Implants Are A Metal-Free Alternative To Titanium Implants

If you know that you’re allergic to titanium, you may think that you can’t get dental implants. But that’s not quite true. Modern advancements in materials technology have resulted in zirconia implants.

These implants first were developed in 1987, and are now widely used by dentists. This is a non-metallic ceramic material, so it’s ideal for patients who have exhibited metal allergies to metals like titanium.


Zirconia resists corrosion, bonds tightly with the bone just like titanium, and is very strong and durable. If you’re interested in implants but are worried about metal allergies, zirconia implants may be an option.

Dental Bridges May Be A Good Option For Some Patients

While it’s extremely rare, it’s possible for a patient to be allergic to both titanium and zirconia. If this is the case, a dental bridge is likely the best option for restoring your smile. Bridges use two crowns to support one or more false teeth, filling the gaps where your missing teeth used to be.

Because they do not require any titanium or zirconia to be surgically placed into your gum tissue, bridges do not cause any kind of allergic reaction, and they are a long-lasting and natural-looking way to restore your smile.

Contact Fischl Dental Associates To Explore Your Options For Tooth Restoration

f you think you may have a titanium allergy and are interested in alternatives to traditional implants like bridges or zirconia implants, the team at Fischl Dental Associates can help. Contact us online or give us a call at (847) 864-0822 to schedule a consultation with one of our Dr. Paul Fischl, Dr. Marie Bradley Fischl, or Dr. Lorenzo Prieto, and get the help you need to restore your smile in Evanston.