Home
Treatments
Zirconia implants

Implant surgery · Metal-free option

Zirconia dental implants in Istanbul, Turkey A white ceramic alternative to titanium, where your 3D scan shows it is suitable.

Get my free plan ▶ Watch a patient story

Zirconia dental implants in Turkey: smiling woman around sixty with short blonde hair (illustrative image, not a patient) — Zirconia Dental Implants

Treatment at a glance

How a zirconia dental implant is placed, step by step

Zirconia ceramic dental implant procedure, 3D illustration: white metal-free implant and crown

Illustration for explanation only. Your dentist decides from your own 3D tomography whether a ceramic implant suits the site, and where it would sit.

In short

A zirconia dental implant does the same job as any other dental implant: it replaces the root of a missing tooth and carries a crown. The difference is the material. The implant is made of zirconia, a white ceramic, where the usual choice is titanium. People mostly ask for it for one of two reasons. They would rather not have metal in their mouth, or they are replacing a front tooth and do not want grey to show through thin gum.

Zirconia is not the better implant for everyone. Titanium has the longer track record and more component options, and ceramic is less forgiving of heavy grinding and of difficult angles. Your dentist tells you after the 3D tomography whether a zirconia implant is a sound choice for your case. Implant treatment is usually planned in more than one visit, with a healing period at home in between. Your written plan states the days and visits you would need in Istanbul.

How it works — 4 steps

We look at your X-ray or photos.A free first assessment from home, before you book flights.
You are examined in Istanbul.A 3D tomography and a digital scan on your first day show whether ceramic suits the site.
The zirconia implant is placed.Under local anaesthesia, at the position planned from your scan.
Your crown is fitted.The crown follows once the implant has healed into the bone.

Implant material: ZirconiaA white ceramic, used where titanium is the usual choice
Colour: WhiteNo grey to show through thin gum at the front
Planning: 3D tomographyCBCT and a digital scan on your first day
Anaesthesia: LocalYour dentist explains the options for your case
Visits to Istanbul: In your planDays and visits are stated before you book flights
Price: Written quoteAfter a dentist has seen your X-ray or photosNot for every case: sometimes titanium is the sounder choice

1 Before you travel · From home

A first answer before you book anything

Send a few photos of your teeth, or a panoramic X-ray if you have one, on WhatsApp or through the form. A dentist reviews them, and our international team replies in your language.

What we ask you

Photos of your teeth or a panoramic X-ray
Your general health and any medication
What bothers you most about your teeth now
Which dates could work for you

What you receive

Your treatment options, explained
A price range
The days and visits you would need in Istanbul
A final plan only after your examination

2 In Istanbul · Arrival and examination

We meet you, examine you and confirm the plan

Airport and hotel. We coordinate your airport transfer and your stay with partner hotels near the clinics, including the Sheraton Grand Istanbul Esenyurt and Days Inn by Wyndham Istanbul Esenyurt.
Examination at the clinic. Day one starts with your examination, a 3D tomography (CBCT) and a digital scan of your mouth.
The plan, in person. Your dentist goes through the images with you and confirms the plan, or explains any change and why. Treatment then follows the written plan you approve.
In your language. Our international department works in English, Arabic, French and Turkish.

3 In Istanbul · Implant day

A ceramic implant, placed where your scan says

Local anaesthesia. The area around the gap is numbed. You should notice pressure and vibration, not pain. Your dentist explains the anaesthesia options for your case beforehand.
The implant is placed. If a tooth that cannot be saved is still there, it is removed first. Whether the implant can follow at the same appointment depends on the bone and on any infection at the site, and your plan says which applies. The zirconia implant is then seated in the bone at the planned position and depth.
Why position matters more. With titanium, an awkward angle can often be corrected later with an angled part. Many ceramic implants offer fewer such parts, so the position has to be right from the start. This is one reason your dentist may advise titanium for a difficult site.
Before you fly. If the gap shows when you smile, your dentist plans a temporary tooth that does not press on the implant. You are told how to clean around the site and what to avoid biting on while it heals.

4 At home · Healing

Healing, with the implant left in peace

Over the following months bone grows onto the surface of the implant. Dentists call this osseointegration, and it happens with zirconia as it does with titanium. Until your dentist says otherwise, the implant should not take biting forces: you chew on the other side, and you wear any temporary tooth or protective splint exactly as you were shown.

Your coordinator stays in touch, and your dentist is one message away if you have a question or want to send a photo.

5 In Istanbul · Your crown

Your crown

Check and digital scan. Your dentist checks that the implant is firm and the gum around it is healthy, then takes a digital scan for the crown.
Shade and shape. The crown is made of ceramic and matched to the teeth on either side, so the new tooth does not stand out.
Fitting. The crown is fixed onto the implant. Your bite is adjusted carefully, so the new tooth does not carry more force than its neighbours.
Cleaning routine. You are shown how to clean around the implant at home, including the spaces between the teeth.

6 Aftercare · Back home

Looking after your new teeth

Daily cleaning and regular check-ups keep implants healthy. Routine check-ups can be done with a dentist near your home.

After you fly home, your coordinator stays in touch and your dentist is one message away for questions and follow-up.

Your treatment journey

Your ceramic implant journey,
step by step.

From your first photo to your final crown, one international team coordinates every step.

Step 1 / 5 · From home

Get in touch

Send a few photos of your teeth, or a panoramic X-ray if you have one, on WhatsApp or through the form. Tell us that you are asking about a metal-free implant, and why. A dentist reviews them, and our international team replies in your language.

Photos or X-ray on WhatsApp
Reviewed by a dentist
English · Arabic · French · Turkish

Step 2 / 5 · From home

Your written plan

You receive a written plan: whether a zirconia implant looks suitable for the site, with the titanium alternative alongside, a price range, and the days and visits you would need in Istanbul, so you can book flights with confidence. The final plan is confirmed after your examination.

Zirconia and titanium, compared
Days and visits stated
Confirmed after examination

Often a good fit if …

You would prefer a metal-free implant if it is a sound option for you
A front tooth is missing and your gum is thin
One tooth or a few teeth are missing, with healthy bone at the site
You do not grind or clench your teeth heavily
You can keep up daily cleaning and check-ups

Worth discussing first if …

You grind or clench your teeth heavily → a titanium implant is usually the more forgiving choice
The bone is thin or the implant would have to sit at an angle → titanium offers more parts to work with
A whole jaw of teeth is missing or failing → All-on-4 or another full-arch option
Uncontrolled diabetes, active gum disease, heavy smoking or pregnancy → we talk about timing first

Not sure? Send us your X-ray or a few photos. A dentist will tell you whether a ceramic implant is a sensible option for your mouth, or whether titanium would serve you better.

Get my free assessment

Feature	Zirconia implant	Titanium implant
Material	Zirconia, a white ceramic	Titanium, a grey metal
Track record	Shorter, with less long-term research	The longest and most widely studied
Under thin gum at the front	White, so no grey shows through	Can show as a grey shadow if the gum is very thin
Parts and angles	Fewer component options	Many options, including angled parts
Heavy grinding or clenching	Less forgiving; ceramic can fracture	More forgiving
Typical use	Selected cases, often single teeth	From one tooth to a full arch

Single & multiple implants All-on-4 All full-arch options

Back to everyday life

Soft, cool food	From the first day
Work and daily routine	When you feel ready
Exercise and heavy lifting	When your dentist says so
Chewing on the implant side	Only once your dentist says the implant has healed
Normal diet	After your crown is fitted

What you do

Take your medication as your dentist explains it
Chew on the other side while the implant heals
Clean gently around the site every day
Avoid smoking, which slows healing

Contact us if …

Swelling keeps getting worse instead of settling, you have a fever, bleeding does not stop with gentle pressure, or the implant or a temporary tooth feels loose.

What it does not do

Choosing ceramic does not make an implant healthier or free of maintenance. The gum and bone around a zirconia implant can become inflamed just as they can around titanium. That is why cleaning and check-ups matter for years.

Swelling and soreness

Common in the first days. Rest, cold compresses and the medication your dentist prescribes help it settle.

Infection

Uncommon. Careful cleaning and following your instructions lower the risk.

An implant that does not bond

Occasionally an implant does not bond with the bone and has to be removed. Smoking, uncontrolled diabetes and biting on the implant too early raise this risk.

Fracture

Ceramic is hard but does not flex the way metal does. A zirconia implant can break under heavy grinding or an unfavourable bite, and a broken implant has to be removed.

Less long-term evidence

Zirconia implants have been studied for a shorter time than titanium. How they behave over the very long term is less well documented.

Nerves, sinus and neighbouring roots

Rare. Planning from your 3D tomography keeps the implant away from these structures.

What changes the price

The number of implants, the implant system, the type of crown, and any extraction or extra step your case needs. Ask for the titanium alternative to be quoted alongside, so you can compare like with like.

What to ask for in writing

The implant system and crown material, by name
What the price includes
The days and visits planned in Istanbul

Travel and stay

We coordinate airport transfers and accommodation with partner hotels near the clinics. Ask your coordinator what your quote includes.

Only if your case needs it

Extra steps such as bone grafting are explained and written into your plan before treatment starts.

No price is final until a dentist has examined you. Your plan is confirmed after your examination, 3D tomography and digital scan in Istanbul.

Patient storiesDental implant patients, in their own words

Patients who travelled to Istanbul for dental implant treatment talk about their experience. Their stories are about implant treatment in general, not about zirconia implants in particular. Tap a card to watch.

Rob from the Netherlands: dental implants at İkon Dental in Istanbul, Turkey (patient video review)

Adrian from Canada: dental implants at İkon Dental in Istanbul, Turkey (patient video review)

Sakir from the Netherlands: implants and zirconia at İkon Dental in Istanbul, Turkey (patient video review)

See all patient stories

Before & afterBefore and after cases from our clinics

Real cases treated at İkon. Each card names the treatment that patient had; tap a card to see more photos.

Upper-jaw smile design before and after in Istanbul, Turkey: photos of a patient from the Netherlands at İkon Dental — NetherlandsUpper-jaw smile design

Upper-jaw smile design before (top) and after (bottom), close-up: a patient from the Netherlands treated at İkon Dental, Istanbul — NetherlandsUpper-jaw smile design

Smile design before and after in Istanbul, Turkey: photos of a patient from the Netherlands at İkon Dental — NetherlandsSmile design

Smile design in Istanbul, Turkey: a patient from the Netherlands after treatment at İkon Dental — NetherlandsSmile design

Smile design with zirconia crowns before and after in Istanbul, Turkey: photos of a patient from the Netherlands at İkon Dental — NetherlandsSmile design with zirconia crowns

Smile design with zirconia crowns in Istanbul, Turkey: a patient from the Netherlands after treatment at İkon Dental — NetherlandsSmile design with zirconia crowns

Smile makeover before and after in Istanbul, Turkey: photos of a patient from Germany at İkon Dental — GermanySmile makeover

Smile makeover before (top) and after (bottom), close-up: a patient from Germany treated at İkon Dental, Istanbul — GermanySmile makeover

Treatment for missing teeth before and after in Istanbul, Turkey: photos of a patient from the Czech Republic at İkon Dental — Czech RepublicTreatment for missing teeth

Treatment for missing teeth before (top) and after (bottom), close-up: a patient from the Czech Republic treated at İkon Dental, Istanbul — Czech RepublicTreatment for missing teeth

Laminate veneers before and after in Istanbul, Turkey: photos of a patient at İkon Dental — **Laminate veneers**

Laminate veneers before (top) and after (bottom), close-up: a patient treated at İkon Dental, Istanbul — **Laminate veneers**

Laminate veneers before and after in Istanbul, Turkey: the smile of a patient at İkon Dental — **Laminate veneers**

Zirconia crowns before and after in Istanbul, Turkey: photos of a patient at İkon Dental — **Zirconia crowns**

Zirconia crowns before (top) and after (bottom), close-up: a patient treated at İkon Dental, Istanbul — **Zirconia crowns**

Zirconia crowns before and after in Istanbul, Turkey: the smile of a patient at İkon Dental — **Zirconia crowns**

Zirconia crowns, upper jaw before and after in Istanbul, Turkey: photos of a patient at İkon Dental — **Zirconia crowns, upper jaw**

Zirconia crowns, upper jaw before (top) and after (bottom), close-up: a patient treated at İkon Dental, Istanbul — **Zirconia crowns, upper jaw**

Smile design before and after in Istanbul, Turkey: photos of a patient at İkon Dental — **Smile design**

Smile design before (top) and after (bottom), close-up: a patient treated at İkon Dental, Istanbul — **Smile design**

Smile makeover before and after in Istanbul, Turkey: photos of a patient at İkon Dental — **Smile makeover**

Smile makeover before (top) and after (bottom), close-up: a patient treated at İkon Dental, Istanbul — **Smile makeover**

Results differ from person to person. What is possible for you depends on your own teeth, gums and bone, which your dentist assesses at the examination.

See all before and after cases

Questions about zirconia implants

The questions we hear most often. If yours is not here, ask us on WhatsApp.

Are zirconia implants better than titanium implants?

Not better, different. Titanium has the longer track record and more component options, and it suits most cases. Zirconia is white and is a ceramic, not a metal, which matters to some patients. It is also less forgiving of heavy grinding and of difficult angles. Your dentist tells you which is the sound choice for your case after the 3D tomography.

Is a zirconia implant the same as a zirconia crown?

No. The implant is the part that sits in the bone and replaces the root. The crown is the visible tooth on top. A zirconia or other ceramic crown can be fitted on a natural tooth or on any implant, including a titanium implant. This page is about implants made of zirconia.

Are zirconia implants really metal-free?

Zirconia is zirconium dioxide, a ceramic. It is not a metal or a metal alloy, which is why these implants are described as metal-free. Some two-piece ceramic implant systems join their parts with a small metal screw. If a completely metal-free result matters to you, ask us which system is planned and have it named in your written plan.

I think I react to metals. Is a zirconia implant the answer?

A true allergy to titanium is rare, and it is one reason some people ask about ceramic implants. Tell us about any reaction you have had to metal in your first message. Your dentist looks at your history and may ask you to see an allergy specialist before anything is planned. No implant material can be promised to be free of reactions for every person.

Does getting a zirconia implant hurt?

The implant is placed under local anaesthesia, so you should notice pressure, not pain, during the procedure. Soreness and some swelling afterwards are normal in the first days, and your dentist prescribes medication for that.

How much do zirconia dental implants cost in Istanbul, Turkey?

We do not publish fixed prices, because the cost depends on the number of implants, the implant system and the crown. Send us an X-ray or photos and you receive a price range with your written plan, free and with no obligation. No price is final until a dentist has examined you.

How long do I need to stay in Istanbul?

It depends on your case. Implant treatment is usually planned in more than one visit, with a healing period at home in between. Your written plan states the days and visits you would need, before you book flights.

How long do zirconia implants last?

An implant can last many years when it is cleaned well and checked regularly. Zirconia implants have been followed for a shorter time than titanium, so there is less long-term evidence for them. Smoking, gum health and teeth grinding affect how long any implant lasts, and the crown on top may need maintenance over time.

Is İkon Dental authorised to treat patients from abroad?

Yes. İkon holds the International Health Tourism Authorisation Certificate of the Republic of Türkiye Ministry of Health, for its Başakşehir and Hadımköy clinics. You can see the certificate on our international patients section.

This page is general information and does not replace an examination by a dentist.

Why İkonWhy patients choose our clinics

Treatment abroad is a big decision, so here is what you are choosing: three clinics in Istanbul, one standard of care, and an international team that stays in touch from your first message to your follow-up at home.

Reception at İkon Dental Bahçeşehir, a dental clinic in Istanbul, Turkey

Another treatment room at İkon Dental Kıraç, a dental clinic in Istanbul, Turkey

Dental X-ray and 3D imaging room at İkon Dental Kıraç, a dental clinic in Istanbul, Turkey

Sterilisation room at İkon Dental Bahçeşehir, a dental clinic in Istanbul, Turkey

2008Founded in Hadımköy

Built on one rule

İkon began as a two-chair practice. It grew into three clinics by offering only what is useful to the patient. Nothing is sold because it is profitable.

3Clinics in Istanbul

One team, one standard

All our dentists provide general dental treatment, and each brings fields of special interest from their training. Cases that need more than one field are planned together by the team.

MoHAuthorised

Approved for international patients

International Health Tourism Authorisation Certificate from the Turkish Ministry of Health, for the Başakşehir and Hadımköy clinics.

4Languages spoken

Understood from the first message

Our international department works in English, Arabic, French and Turkish, from your first photo on WhatsApp to the follow-up after you fly home.

Why İkon?Our clinics Our doctors International patients

Other treatmentsCeramic, titanium or another route?

A zirconia implant is one way to replace a missing tooth. Your examination shows whether it fits your mouth, or whether one of these does.

Dental implants in Istanbul, Turkey: smiling woman in her forties with her hand on her chin (illustrative image, not a patient)

Single & Multiple Dental ImplantsPermanent Replacement for One or More Teeth

All-on-4 dental implants in Istanbul, Turkey: smiling man in his sixties in a dental consultation room (illustrative image, not a patient)

All-on-4 Dental ImplantsFixed Full-Arch Teeth on Four Implants

Full mouth dental implants in Istanbul, Turkey: smiling man in his fifties giving a thumbs-up (illustrative image, not a patient)

Full-Arch Dental ImplantsComplete Upper & Lower Teeth Restoration

Hollywood smile and smile makeover in Istanbul: smiling woman in her thirties holding a hand mirror (illustrative image, not a patient)

Smile MakeoverVeneers, Crowns & Aesthetic Smile Design

Your journey starts here

Your next chapter
begins with a conversation.

Tell us what you would like to change. We reply with options, the days you would need in Istanbul and a price range. Free, and with no obligation.

Bahçeşehir

2. Kısım, Mercedes Bulvarı No:28-A D:78, 34488 Başakşehir

+90 546 690 88 10 View on map

Free online consultation

Full name

Phone / WhatsApp

Email (optional)

What would you like to change?

Message (optional)

Your details are used only to answer this request. No price is final until a dentist has examined you.