Aesthetic Dentistry of Lake Oswego

Larry Bowden DMD

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Aesthetic Dentistry of Lake Oswego > General Dentistry > Dental Implants

Zirconia implants offer a metal-free, holistic approach to tooth replacement for healthy and aesthetic smiles.

Metal-Free Dental Implants for Healthy Smiles!

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Dental Implants in Lake Oswego

dental implants lake oswego | mother and daughter smiling 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 of Lake Oswego, we offer Zirconia implants — a metal-free solution to smile restoration. Read on to learn more about this holistic approach to dental implants.

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.

If you want your smile back, go to AD!

If you want your smile back, go to AD!!! Wonderful team, caring, professional, and the dentist Larry Bowden, is a miracle maker!

- Zilvinas

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The Downfalls of Traditional Metal Dental Implants

dental implants lake oswego | patient at dentist 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.

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.

Frequently Asked Questions

Am I a good candidate for dental implants?

Dental implants are an excellent option — the best available, in fact — for individuals missing one or more teeth. Unfortunately, however, the implant placement process is somewhat invasive and carries certain medical prerequisites for potential recipients:

A Fully-Formed Jawbone — While there’s no minimum age at which a person becomes eligible for dental implants, to qualify for implant placement, an individual must have a fully-developed jawbone, which is typically between 18 and 24 years of age.
Good Oral Health — To qualify for implant placement, an individual’s gums and jawbone must be sufficiently healthy and robust to support the implant.
Good Overall Health — In addition to strong bones and gums, patients receiving dental implants must be free of medical conditions like uncontrolled diabetes. It is also recommended that implant recipients generally be in good overall health.

While these are all good rules of thumb, bear in mind that each patient’s case is unique, and only a dentist or oral surgeon can determine definitively if they are suitable for implant placement.

Precisely Placing Dental Implants in Lake Oswego, OR

If you’re in the Lake Oswego area and want to learn more about whether dental implants are the right tooth replacement solution for you, contact Dr. Larry Bowden and the caring and knowledgeable Lake Oswego Smiles team to schedule a consultation!

Do you have CBCT technology?

Yes! Our dental office has state-of-the-art technology, including CBCT or cone beam computed technology, which provides us with 3-D imaging.

3-D images of your jaw joints, teeth, sinuses, and jawbone are helpful in planning surgical procedures, such as tooth extraction or dental implant placement. Dr. Bowden can use the information provided by the CBCT images to pre-plan surgeries ahead of time and even create guides for proper implant placement that ensure optimal results and outcomes.

Using CBCT technology makes oral surgeries more accurate and efficient, meaning the patient spends less time in the dental chair.

Leading Edge Technology at Aesthetic Dentistry of Lake Oswego

Some of the other technology and equipment we have at our dental office include:

Laser dentistry—Comfortable solutions for snoring and sleep apnea.
Digital impressions—A more comfortable and accurate way to capture impressions of your teeth without the messy materials used in the past.
Nitrous oxide sedation—Helps you feel relaxed and at ease during dental procedures.
VELscope—For earlier detection of oral cancer, resulting in a better prognosis.
Intraoral camera—Gives you a full-color close-up of what's happening in your mouth.

Contact Your Holistic Dentist in Lake Oswego

In addition to advanced technology, Dr. Bowden is also a trusted holistic dentist. This means that he offers several services that promote overall health and wellness that you may not find at other dental practices.

Contact our team at (503) 675-7300 to learn more and arrange a consultation.

What types of dental implants do you offer?

At Aesthetic Dentistry of Lake Oswego, Dr. Bowden aims to provide patients with the most biocompatible materials to promote optimal health. For this reason, we are pleased to offer titanium and zirconia dental implants.

Both of these biocompatible materials integrate and fuse with your jawbone to replace your tooth root and provide a stable foundation for your new tooth. However, zirconia implants are not made of metal like titanium and, therefore, eliminate any concerns about allergies or infection that can accompany a metal restoration.

Biocompatible Dentistry for Your Health

Dr. Bowden often recommends zirconia implants because they offer these advantages:

A Metal-Free Solution—Zirconia eliminates the concern that you may experience an allergic reaction to your dental implant.
Temperature Resistance—Zirconia doesn't react to temperature as metal tends to do, avoiding problems like fractures.
Decreased Chance of Infection—Zirconia is bacteria-resistant, which means less chance of developing infection.
Corrosion-Resistent—Unlike metal material, zirconia is less likely to corrode over time.

As your holistic dentist in Lake Oswego, it is always our goal to use the best materials for your smile, and this may mean using metal-free alternatives.

For more information about dental implants and holistic dentistry, contact Aesthetic Dentistry in Lake Oswego at (503) 675-7300.

Why should I choose a holistic approach for my dental implants?

Do you have missing teeth? We can help!

Holistic dental implants mean a more biocompatible and natural tooth replacement for our patients. The methods, materials, and technologies are modern, safe, and always patient centered.

If you have one or more missing teeth, the best solution is always a dental implant, offering longevity, aesthetics, and optimal function.

About Holistic Dental Implants in Lake Oswego

Traditional dental implants use titanium implant posts, which are made of metal. Some patients prefer not to have metal in their mouths! We understand completely.

Holistic dental implants do not rely on titanium implant posts. Instead, the holistic implant dentist uses zirconia, which is a naturally occurring element. Zirconia is durable and heat-resistant.

The benefits of zirconia dental implants include:

No metal
Temperature and heat resistant
Easier integration
Always biocompatible
Lower risk of corrosion

Dental implants are the gold standard in tooth replacement. They are lasting, functional, and always look entirely natural.

When it comes to tooth replacement, dentists and patients prefer implant dentistry. We think you’ll be pleased.

For Dental Implants in Lake Oswego, Contact Us

If you would like more information about holistic dentistry and biocompatible dental implants, or if you’re ready to schedule a consultation with our dentist, call us today at (503) 675-7300.

Who is a candidate for metal-free dental implants?

Metal-free dental implants are options for people who are allergic to titanium or who prefer not to have metal dental work in their mouth. Good candidates for metal-free dental implants have similar profiles to people who are generally good candidates for dental implants. Healthy gums and adequate jawbone density are the most important criteria. Your dentist will evaluate your oral health and medical history before recommending implants or other types of treatment.

Smokers and people with uncontrolled diabetes face higher risks with any implant type, although these factors are not automatic disqualifiers. Advanced age rarely prevents placement, but younger patients may need to wait until their jaw growth is finished.

At Aesthetic Dentistry of Lake Oswego, we offer zirconia dental implants as a non-metallic alternative to traditional implants. Many of our patients choose zirconia dental implants for the following reasons:

Osseointegration: Zirconia has a rough surface, meaning that it fuses well with the jawbone during healing
Biocompatibility: Your body has an easier time integrating zirconia into the jawbone than titanium
Discretion: Zirconia dental implants are more natural-looking, especially near the gum line
Temperature Issues: Metal restorations may react to temperature changes, especially heat, while zirconia is resistant to heat

If you are interested in zirconia dental implants in Lake Oswego, consider giving us a call, and we will schedule a consultation.

The Zirconia Dental Implant Process in Lake Oswego

Initial Consultation

Before Dr. Bowden approves you as a candidate for metal-free dental implants and proceeds with these holistic dental implants, you’ll undergo an initial consultation. He will thoroughly examine your mouth, review your medical history, and zirconia dental implants lake oswego | man after getting dental implants 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.

Meet Our Dentist:

Dr. Larry Bowden

Dr. Bowden is dedicated to providing guests with comprehensive dental excellence in a friendly, relaxing atmosphere so that they can realize optimal health, beauty, and comfort. Care and treatment are customized to each individual’s needs.

Dr. Bowden graduated Cum Laude from Boston University Goldman School of Dental Medicine, where he received the Dr. Joseph P. Speranza Memorial Award for patient care. He has also done extensive post-doctoral work at the Las Vegas Institute for Advanced Dental Studies, a premiere institute for the study of Neuromuscular and Aesthetic Dentistry. He provides Holistic ...

Dental Implants Technology

CBCT Cone Beam Technology

Cone Beam Computed Tomography (CBCT) provides 3-D imaging of your teeth, jawbone, joints, and sinuses. Working with 3-D imaging allows Dr. Bowden to successfully pre-plan and execute treatment procedures like tooth extraction, dental implants, orthodontics, treatment for TMD, and root canal treatment.

Planning for procedures ahead of time ensures precision and accuracy on the day of treatment, often meaning less time in the dental chair for the patient. At Aesthetic Dentistry of Lake Oswego, we focus on making the patient experience as efficient, pleasant and stress-free as possible!

SEE OUR TECHNOLOGY

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.

Featured Blog Posts - Dental Implants

August 28, 2025

Holistic Dental Implants vs. Traditional Titanium: A Detailed Comparison

patient from Lake Oswego smiling with her holistic dental implant

Do you have a missing tooth? Several missing teeth? Eventually, tooth loss can threaten your dental health and compromise your ability to chew and digest food properly. Missing teeth can also affect your self-esteem.

At Aesthetic Dentistry of Lake Oswego, OR, we want to restore your smile and well-being. We want you to enjoy a complete smile and feel more confident.

Of course, dental implants have been around for a while, but they are still the gold standard and the tooth replacement option most recommended by dentists.

In this blog, we explore ...

Holistic Implant Dentist: Demystifying Metal-Free Dental Implants

couple taking selfie at restaurant near Aesthetic Dentistry of Lake Oswego

A holistic dental implant dentist considers how your tooth replacement aligns with overall body wellness. Holistic dentistry is about viewing the whole person and utilizing the most natural or holistic tools and materials available to maintain their smile's health.

Traditionally, dental implants call for the following pieces:

Titanium screws that stand in for your lost tooth roots
Abutments that top your new tooth roots
Dental crowns or a prosthetic affixed to the abutments

At Aesthetic Dentistry of Lake Oswego, we take a more natural approach.

Redefining Tooth Replacement with a Holistic View

We use zirconia dental ...