"Ask the Expert": How do you sell your patients on the value of zirconia implants?

11.11.2025 · 3 min

More and more dentists are incorporating ceramic implants into their practices—and are witnessing firsthand how much interest patients have in them.

Our “Ask the Expert” series gives you an inside look into everyday dental practice, with SDS Ambassadors sharing their firsthand experiences with our ceramic implants.

In the first episode, they address the question of how to sell their patients on the value of zirconia implants, offering practical insights and examples from their own work before sharing their personal stories and quotes.

Patients Are Becoming More Aware of Biological Dentistry

Dr. Cody Kriegel notices a clear shift in awareness among his patients. Many already come informed and actively ask for zirconia implants.

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“I think patients are starting to see it, and they’re starting to come in demanding it, wanting it. They understand better why a ceramic implant is more valuable than a titanium-based or a metal-based counterpart. So it kind of sells itself.”

Today’s patients are more health-conscious than ever. They value biocompatibility, aesthetic appearance, and long-term stability, which makes zirconia an easy choice for many.

Education Is Key – But It’s Easy

For Dr. Corbin Popp, talking about zirconia implants is a natural part of his holistic practice.

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“It’s white, it looks pretty, it’s aesthetic, it’s easy to use, and it fits right into the whole biological concept. I promote being more biological or holistic, so most people do come with some knowledge. … It takes a little bit of educating the patient, but it’s easy stuff.”

Explaining zirconia doesn’t feel like persuasion—it’s simply part of educating patients about healthier, more natural treatment options.

Long-Term Health Over Short-Term Thinking

Dr. Jigar Gandhi works with both titanium and zirconia and sees how side-by-side comparison helps patients make smarter long-term choices.

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“We’re still a titanium practice. We do both. But if you truly care about the long-term health benefits, ceramic’s the way to go. Titanium will work—it’s worked for decades—but when your health starts to decline, things in your mouth will start declining too.

He points out that choosing zirconia isn’t just a biological decision—it’s also a long-term financial and health investment.

Simple Comparisons Convince Patients

For Dr. Judson Wall, zirconia implants don’t need to be “sold.” The difference speaks for itself.

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“I don’t have to. They see the value. When I’m doing consults, I have in my hand—here’s a titanium implant, here’s a zirconia implant. Which one would you want in your head? It’s that simple.”

The visual comparison—white vs. gray, biocompatible vs. metallic—is often enough to make the decision clear.

Why Metal-Free Matters

Dr. Luis A. Alicea stresses the biological difference behind material composition—something many patients have never considered.

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“Most titanium implants are not pure titanium—it’s an alloy. A combination of titanium, aluminum, and vanadium. You don’t want aluminum and vanadium in your body because aluminum is related to Alzheimer’s, and vanadium is related to allergies. You want to be the best possible metal-free.”

For him, it’s not just about performance—it’s about eliminating unnecessary metals from the body for better long-term health.

Educate, Don’t Sell

Dr. Yuri May focuses on patient empowerment through education rather than persuasion.

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“We don’t sell to our patients. We really educate them. We let them know what the benefits of the ceramic implant system versus titanium are. We educate them about peri-implantitis, potential metal sensitivity, and long-term corrosion and inflammation associated with metals in the mouth. Education is always part of making the right informed consent. Patients who come to us have often done their research ahead of time. Those who care about their overall health tend to choose metal-free dentistry and ceramic implants.”

He emphasizes that most of his patients come well-prepared and motivated to choose the healthiest option. The goal is not persuasion, but informed decision-making based on health awareness.

Visual Proof and Natural Aesthetics

Dr. Holly Thompson shows her patients clear visual results from years of clinical photography.

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“The proof’s in the pudding with the pictures. I take a ton of pictures—of teeth with root canals, of titanium implants, and of the zirconia SDS implants. The gums just look so healthy and pink and plump. It’s a prettier product, too. People don’t want metal or gray in their mouth—they like that bright white implant.”

Her photos and patient testimonials make one thing obvious: zirconia implants support healthy soft tissue and beautiful, natural aesthetics.

Conclusion

The message from our experts is clear: zirconia implants don’t need to be sold—they just need to be shown and explained. Clinical results, patient education, and biological compatibility speak for themselves.

As awareness continues to grow, zirconia is no longer a niche—it’s the future of modern, metal-free dentistry.

Watch the full Ask the Expert episode on our SDS YouTube Channel to hear these voices in their original words. Visit us on YouTube.

*Note: All quotes were transcribed from English-language interviews. Minor edits were made for readability. The video above reflects the experts’ exact original statements.

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