Are all implant fixtures made of titanium?

Most are titanium or titanium alloy. They take advantage of titanium's confirmed biocompatibility, which lets it bond directly with bone (osseointegration). Differences between products show up in surface treatment and shape rather than material.

Should a back tooth crown be gold or zirconia?

There is no fixed answer. Gold has the advantage of being gentle on opposing teeth but has a metal color and higher material cost, while zirconia is strong and tooth-colored. The choice is made in consultation based on bite force, the condition of opposing teeth, and esthetic needs.

Are Korean-made implants worse than imported ones?

Both domestic and imported implants are sold under the same Ministry of Food and Drug Safety medical device approval. There is no generalized official evidence that one brand is superior, and diagnosis, placement accuracy, and maintenance are described as the factors that affect results.

Can I confirm that the brand I agreed to was actually placed?

One way is to check at the consultation stage whether you will receive a record stating the manufacturer and model and a genuine product warranty card. Product information (manufacturer, diameter, length) is also needed later if another clinic does maintenance.

← Dental implants guide

Types of Dental Implants and Materials: Fixture Surface Treatments and Crown Materials (Zirconia vs. Gold)

Published July 16, 2026 Updated July 16, 2026 Based on official HIRA and Ministry of Health and Welfare data and public sources

In the analysis of patient comments about Dental implants, Types and materials formed a question cluster of about 436 comments. Most implant fixtures are titanium; products differ mainly in surface treatment, shape, and maker. This guide compares crown materials (zirconia, gold, PFM) and how to confirm which product you received. SOURCE Analysis of patient comments on YouTube dental content (DentStat) · public sources listed under References · Data as of June 28, 2026

Key facts

Fixture material	Mostly titanium-based: bonds with bone (osseointegration) thanks to biocompatibility ^[1]
Condition for sale in Korea	Both domestic and imported products require MFDS medical device approval ^[2]
Differences between products	Surface treatment, shape (diameter, length), and manufacturer: these vary more than the material itself ^[2]
Crown materials	Zirconia, gold, porcelain-fused-to-metal (PFM), and others: differ in strength, appearance, and effect on opposing teeth ^[3]
Volume of patient questions	436 comments on types, materials, and brands analyzed ^[4]

How do the different “types” of implants differ?

The material of the fixture (artificial root) is mostly the same, titanium-based, and differences between products show up in surface treatment, shape (diameter and length), and manufacturer [1][2]. Surface treatment is described as a factor affecting osseointegration, the bonding of the fixture with bone, and even within the same manufacturer, product lines are sometimes divided by surface treatment [2]. DentStat analyzed 436 patient comments on types and materials, and the questions fell along two lines: comparing crown materials (zirconia vs. gold) and comparing Korean-made vs. imported brands [4].

What crown materials are there, and how do they differ?

The main materials for the prosthesis placed on an implant are zirconia, gold, and porcelain-fused-to-metal (PFM), each with different characteristics [3].

Material	Characteristics	Considerations
Zirconia	Strong and tooth-colored: widely used today [3]	Surface polish affects wear on opposing teeth [3]
Gold	Malleable, with the advantage of being gentle on opposing teeth [3]	Metal color, higher material cost
Porcelain-fused-to-metal (PFM)	Porcelain layered over a metal base [3]	The porcelain part can chip (fracture) [3]

The choice of material depends on the site (back or front teeth), bite force, the condition of opposing teeth, and esthetic needs, and is a matter for consultation [3].

Does zirconia wear down the opposing teeth?

The usual explanation is that it depends on how well the surface is polished. Studies report that well-polished zirconia does not cause much wear on opposing teeth, while a rough surface can increase wear, so polishing after bite adjustment and regular checkups are cited as part of care [3]. In the patient comments, the concern “Isn’t zirconia so hard that it damages the natural tooth opposite?” came up repeatedly [4].

How do Korean-made and imported implants differ?

Both Korean-made and imported implants must be approved as medical devices by the Ministry of Food and Drug Safety to be sold in Korea [2]. The differences mentioned are the length of time clinical data has been accumulated, surface treatment technology, and the supply of components (such as abutments) and access to maintenance later [2][3]. There is no generalized official evidence that a particular brand is superior, and rather than the brand, diagnosis, placement accuracy, and maintenance afterward are described as the factors affecting results [1][3]. The comment analysis also found repeated questions about the difference between Korean-made and imported implants, along with opinions that the procedure and care matter more than the brand [4].

Can I confirm which product was placed?

One way is to ask at the consultation stage for the manufacturer and model of the fixture to be stated, and to check whether a genuine product warranty card is provided. The patient comment analysis found questions from people wanting to confirm that the brand they agreed to was actually placed [4]. Product information (manufacturer, diameter, length) is also needed if you move or change clinics and another clinic does maintenance such as replacing or repairing parts [3].

Common myths and facts

Concern raised by some: “Clinics recommend zirconia for profit.” → Zirconia is an approved medical device material widely used for prostheses [2][3], and the way to check is to have the reasons for the material recommendation (bite, condition of opposing teeth, esthetics) explained.
Myth: “Imported implants are always superior and Korean-made ones inferior.” → Fact: Both go through the same approval standards before sale [2], and suitability for the case, the procedure, and care affect results [1].
Myth: “Back teeth must have gold.” → Fact: Gold has the advantage of being gentle on opposing teeth but is not the only option, and other materials such as zirconia are widely used for back teeth [3].

You can find the cost breakdown, health insurance criteria, and procedure for implants in general in the dental implant guide, crown materials in general in the crown guide, and dental clinics by region in find a dentist.

Frequently asked questions

Are all implant fixtures made of titanium?: Most are titanium or titanium alloy. They take advantage of titanium's confirmed biocompatibility, which lets it bond directly with bone (osseointegration). Differences between products show up in surface treatment and shape rather than material.
Should a back tooth crown be gold or zirconia?: There is no fixed answer. Gold has the advantage of being gentle on opposing teeth but has a metal color and higher material cost, while zirconia is strong and tooth-colored. The choice is made in consultation based on bite force, the condition of opposing teeth, and esthetic needs.
Doesn't zirconia wear down the opposing teeth?: The usual explanation is that it depends on how well the surface is polished. Studies report that well-polished zirconia does not cause much wear on opposing teeth, and polishing after bite adjustment and regular checkups are part of care.
Are Korean-made implants worse than imported ones?: Both domestic and imported implants are sold under the same Ministry of Food and Drug Safety medical device approval. There is no generalized official evidence that one brand is superior, and diagnosis, placement accuracy, and maintenance are described as the factors that affect results.
Can I confirm that the brand I agreed to was actually placed?: One way is to check at the consultation stage whether you will receive a record stating the manufacturer and model and a genuine product warranty card. Product information (manufacturer, diameter, length) is also needed later if another clinic does maintenance.

Find a dental clinic

Compare dental clinics by area and treatment in the area shortlists, or see nationwide figures in dental clinic statistics for South Korea.

References

National Health Information Portal: Dental Implants · Korea Disease Control and Prevention Agency (KDCA)
Approval and Management of Medical Devices (Dental Implants) · Ministry of Food and Drug Safety (MFDS)
Information on Dental Prosthetic Materials · Korean Academy of Prosthodontics
Analysis of Patient Comments on YouTube Dental Content: Dental Implant Types and Materials, 436 Comments (Collected 2026-06-28) · DentStat (Osamil Inc.)

This content is general information based on public sources and does not replace diagnosis, prescription or treatment for any individual. If you have symptoms, consult a dentist.