Dental Implants in Lake Oswego, OR

Restore Your Smile Without Metal With Zirconia Implants

Z-Look3 Natural Dental Implants

Living with missing teeth can do more than just damage your confidence in social settings. It can also affect your ability to speak and eat and can result in jawbone loss (resorption) or oral infection if not treated. 

Dental implants are an incredibly effective way to restore full function to your smile once again. Traditional dental implants are made with a metal post that is securely attached to the jaw, but some patients may not want metal implants, or may even have an allergic reaction to the metal. 

Rather than forgo treatment, you can opt for metal-free implants. At Aesthetic Dentistry, we offer Zirconia implants — a metal-free solution to smile restoration. Read on to learn more about this holistic approach to dental implants.

three women smiling

A natural tooth is composed of two parts: the “crown” which is above the gum line, and the “root” which goes down into the jaw bone. Dental implants are permanent prosthetics that replace both the root and crown, which your implant dentist can place into your upper or lower jaw bone. After the bone has fused to the implant through a process called osseointegration, it will be able to hold a crown, bridge, or overdenture. This prevents jawbone deterioration, stimulates jawbone regeneration, and fills the gap in your smile. 

Traditional dental implants are made of three parts: 

  • The titanium (metal) post that acts as the root
  • The crown which acts as the new tooth
  • The abutment which connects the two 

In most cases, the patient will need at least two procedures: one so the dentist can place the post and one for placing the abutment after a healing period. Rather than hassle with removable dentures or worry about the risk of jawbone loss that comes with missing teeth, dental implants allow your smile to be restored permanently.  

While traditional dental implants have been a boon to many patients who have experienced tooth loss, not every individual wants to or should get metal dental implants. Possible problems that can arise with titanium dental implants include:

  • Metal Allergies: Those with allergies to titanium should avoid traditional dental implants at all costs. Allergic reactions that occur due to titanium dental implants can include hives and bumps in the mouth, dry patches of gum tissues, inflammation of the gums around the implants, sores, and swelling.
  • Bacterial Infection: Even completely sterilized titanium implants can cause infection or peri-implantitis post-installation.
  • Corrosion: Like most metals, titanium can corrode with time, leading to issues such as pain, swelling, infection, and implant rejection. 
  • Galvanic Toxicity: Galvanic toxicity also called electro-galvanism, occurs when two or more different metals interact with the saltwater in your mouth, generating an electrical charge. This can result in a metallic taste in your mouth, overstimulation of the brain due to electric shock, insomnia, and electrical sensations when handling metal utensils.  
Tooth Pain

What Are Z-Look3 Dental Implants?

Zirconia dental implants are non-metallic dental implants. These Zirconia implants are a more natural approach because they are biologically compatible, and are well tolerated by the gums. Zirconia dental implants are placed directly into the jaw bone by Dr. Bowden. 

Both traditional and Zirconia dental implants serve the same purpose — to fill the gap in your smile while protecting your jaw from deterioration. However, more implant dentists are using Zirconia dental implants, including Dr. Bowden. While metal dental implants have become the new “standard of care,” Zirconia dental implants differ for a number of reasons including: 

  • Discretion: Zirconia dental implants are more natural-looking than traditional implants, especially around the gum line, and fit flawlessly into your natural smile. 
  • Holistically Permanent: Some patients worry about having metal in their mouths throughout their lifetime. With Zirconia dental implants, Dr. Bowden can better ensure that your permanent solution won’t negatively affect your overall health. 
  • Temperature Resistance: One of the problems of metal restorations is that they can be sensitive to temperature change, especially heat. Zirconia is both extremely strong and highly resistant to both heat and fracture.
  • Greater Biocompatibility: Zirconia is more biocompatible compared to titanium, which means your body has a much easier time integrating it into your jawbone.
  • Better Osseointegration: Because of their rough surface texture, Zirconia dental implants fuse very well with the bone of the jaw.
  • Less Chance of Infection: Zirconia is more resistant to accumulating bacteria and the procedure to install them is less invasive, further reducing the chance of bacterial infection.
  • No Chance of Corrosion: Due to the lack of metal, Zirconia dental implants can’t corrode. This characteristic significantly reduces the chances of implant rejection.
Woman With Bright Smile
Dental Exam With Doctor & Patient Facing Camera

The Zirconia Dental Implant Process

Initial Consultation

Before Dr. Bowden approves you for treatment with these holistic dental implants, you’ll undergo an initial consultation. He will thoroughly examine your mouth, review your medical history, and ask you about your smile goals. He’ll also let you know about your other options so you can make a decision that suits your unique oral health needs. 

Designing Your Zirconia Implants

Once Dr. Bowden has approved you for smile restoration with metal-free dental implants, we’ll take images and impressions of your smile. These will be sent to an offsite lab and used as blueprints for your Zirconia dental implant placement. You’ll return to have your implants fully installed once a guide has been fabricated and sent to our office. 

Preparation for Your Zirconia Implants

To prepare your mouth for your Zirconia dental implants, we’ll apply a local anesthetic to the soft tissues around the surgical site. Once we’re sure your anesthetic is working, Dr. Bowden will make small incisions into the gums where your metal-free implants will go.

Installing Your Zirconia Implants

Dr. Bowden will insert the Zirconia dental implant into your jawbone through the incisions. Then, they’ll attach a healing cap to the implant, securing it in place. From there, you’ll be able to leave our office and allow four to six months for healing.

Completing Your Zirconia Dental Implant

Once your Zirconia dental implant is fully osseointegrated into the jawbone we will take an impression of the implant to send to the lab. They will use this to fabricate a custom crown to fit your Zirconia dental implant. Once the crown is attached to the implant you can start enjoying your new smile.

Frequently Asked Questions

How long do Zirconia implants last?
How do I take care of my Zirconia dental implants after the surgery?
Can Zirconia implants cause problems?
How much do Zirconia implants cost?
How long do Zirconia implants last?

While a Zirconia dental implant is a permanent solution designed to last a lifetime, the porcelain crown may require replacement. With proper care and consistent oral hygiene, the crown can last upwards of 15 years. Daily habits like brushing twice a day, flossing before bed, and rinsing after meals coupled with biannual visits with Dr. Bowden can prolong the life of your restoration.

How do I take care of my Zirconia dental implants after the surgery?

Following your procedure, it’s important to follow all post-op instructions from Dr. Bowden. This may include dietary restrictions, taking prescribed medication, and avoiding substances like alcohol and tobacco products. After you’ve healed, your implant can be cared for just like your natural teeth. 

Daily brushing, flossing, and rinsing after meals can keep your teeth and your implant healthy and plaque-free. While your implant may be resistant to decay, without regular check-ups and consistent oral hygiene habits, you can still be at risk for complications like periodontal disease.

Can Zirconia implants cause problems?

While Zirconia implants are generally less problematic than titanium implants, no surgically placed restoration is 100 percent without risk. Rest assured that Dr. Bowden will thoroughly examine your mouth to ascertain your level of oral health and review your medical history before approving you for Zirconia implants. This will help ensure your safety and help you choose the restoration that best suits your unique dental health needs.

How much do Zirconia implants cost?

Generally, metal-free implants tend to cost a bit more than traditional metal implants due to their additional benefits. However, the exact cost of your implants will vary based on numerous factors including how many teeth need to be replaced, your chosen restoration option, and your insurance coverage. We encourage you to call your provider beforehand and ask them which costs they will cover. 

If you’re underinsured or uninsured, don’t worry. We want all of our patients who require tooth replacement to be able to enjoy the benefits of holistic implant dentistry. Aesthetic Dentistry of Lake Oswego is proud to offer financing options, including third-party financing through CareCredit to help you afford your restorations.

Enjoy Metal-Free Implant Dentistry With Zirconia Implants

At Aesthetic Dentistry of Lake Oswego, holistic implant dentist Dr. Bowden can restore your smile with greater ease and less chance for complications using these metal-free implants. Dr. Bowden offers holistic dental implants to patients from Lake Oswego and surrounding areas such as Portland, Tualatin, Wilsonville, Beaverton, Tigard, and Sherwood, OR.

If you’re interested in restoring your smile with greater comfort, safety, and less time spent in the dentist’s chair, contact our office, Aesthetic Dentistry of Lake Oswego at (503) 675-7300. You can also request an appointment online and a friendly team member will get back to you shortly.

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