Leading the research teams, Taipei Tech's Professor Sea-Fue Wang (third right) and Taipei Medical University's Professor Sheng-Yang Lee (third left) with their research team members

Losing a tooth is nothing to smile about. If it is one of the central or lateral teeth, the tooth leaves a large gaping hole for everyone to see. Now with the most cutting edge research development in dental implants, even if you fall prey to tooth decay, gum disease, or just had a nasty fight, there is nothing preventing you from smiling in front of the camera for your next Facebook profile picture.

The latest stir in the world of dental implants is the ceramic dental implants produced by the combined research teams of Taipei Tech and Taipei Medical University (TMU). This collaboration is made possible by the educated professionals of Taipei Tech in the research and development of the material for ceramic dental implants, and by TMU in the restoration and cosmetic improvement of the human teeth. Continuously producing remarkable results, the staff in the Department of Materials and Mineral Resources Engineering of Taipei Tech imparts fundamental knowledge about materials, and train their students to use their knowledge to engineer innovative materials with technological applications to meet the needs of the country.

Prototypes of the different types of ceramic dental implants

Currently, what Taiwan needs is to not depend on foreign imports for dental implants. Each year, Taiwan imports about thirty thousand titanium dental implants. After the ceramic dental implant is introduced on the market, it will bring approximately USD $8 billion in revenue for Taiwan’s economy. Professor Sea-Fue Wang (王錫福), Vice President of Taipei Tech, chairman of the Center of EMO Materials and Nanotechnology, and representative of Taipei Tech’s research and development team, points out, “this new material for ceramic dental implant is stronger and more durable, which makes it easier to manufacture and has a lower cost of production”. Using the most advanced ceramic power injection molding technology that is capable of mass producing objects with complex geometries, ceramic dental implants would soon be available on the market.

This type of one-piece dental implant made from zirconium oxide is more aesthetic and more biologically compatible with the human body compared to the traditional titanium implants. Since it is a one-piece implant, patients who dislike going to the dentist can finish the surgery in one sitting, and they don’t need to worry about the need for maintenance that come with two piece implants. Closer to the color of the human teeth, the ceramic dental implant has a more natural color as opposed to the dark lines that would be left around the gum from titanium implants. There is a possibility that titanium implants would leave more than just dark lines around the gum. Some patients experience swelling, allergic reactions, inflammation of the gum tissue, and movement of the implant which can result in failure of the treatment. Ceramic dental implants, however, underwent numerous tests conducted by the SGS to ensure compatibility with our body. It is the cheaper and healthier choice of dental implants, which can help guarantee a longer lasting smile.

With all the delectable food that exists in Taiwan ranging from the gourmet dishes in restaurants to the old favorites in the stalls of the night markets, there is a need for people in Taiwan to possess a healthy set of teeth. Ceramic dental implants, with all its advantages, are the way to go for people to look great and eat to the heart’s content. Right now, with no more than 10 companies in the world manufacturing ceramic dental implants, the success of Taipei Tech and TMU has allowed Taiwan to become very competitive in the market.