Losing a tooth can feel like so much more than losing a tooth.
Maybe it happened after years of dental problems. Maybe an old tooth became infected and needed to be removed. Maybe you’ve already been through extensive dental work and are now trying to figure out what comes next.
Whatever brought you here, we understand that you may have questions—especially if you’re looking for something different from the traditional approach to dental care.
At Dr. Dickerson’s practice, we believe replacing a missing tooth should be about more than simply filling a space. We want to understand why the tooth was lost, what is happening in the surrounding tissues, how your bite is functioning, and what materials make the most sense for your individual biology.
For patients who need an implant, Dr. Dickerson’s preferred approach is a zirconia dental implant—a metal-free ceramic option that aligns with her philosophy of biological dentistry.
And you don’t have to navigate the process alone.
Dr. Dickerson works closely with trusted surgical specialists who handle the surgical placement of the implant. Once the implant has healed and is ready for restoration, you return to our office, where Dr. Dickerson completes the restorative portion of your care.
It’s a team approach, with each provider doing what they do best.
Why Does Dr. Dickerson Prefer Zirconia Implants?
If you’ve spent any time researching biological dentistry, you’ve probably discovered that the materials we put in our mouths matter.
Dr. Dickerson has spent decades looking at dentistry through that lens. She doesn’t believe in taking a one-size-fits-all approach to dental materials, particularly for patients who are already dealing with complex health concerns or who are intentional about what they put into their bodies.
That’s one reason she prefers zirconia dental implants.
Zirconia is a ceramic material that is metal-free, highly biocompatible, and naturally white. It provides an option for patients who want to avoid placing metal in their oral environment while still having a strong, stable foundation for replacing a missing tooth.
Dr. Dickerson’s philosophy has been influenced by the principles of biological ceramic implantology, including the work of Swiss Dental Solutions and others advancing the use of ceramic implants.
For her, choosing zirconia isn’t about following a trend.
It’s about asking a simple question:
“If we have the opportunity to choose a material that is designed to work harmoniously with the body’s tissues, why wouldn’t we?”
What Makes Zirconia Dental Implants Different?
Zirconia implants offer several qualities that make them particularly appealing within a biological approach to dentistry.
They’re metal-free.
For patients who are intentional about minimizing metals in their mouths, zirconia provides a ceramic alternative.
They’re designed with biocompatibility in mind.
Zirconia has become increasingly popular in biological and metal-free dentistry because of its favorable tissue compatibility and ceramic composition.
They’re white.
Unlike a metallic implant, zirconia is naturally tooth-colored. That can be especially meaningful in areas where the gum line is thin or highly visible.
They fit into a bigger philosophy.
For Dr. Dickerson, implant dentistry isn’t just about replacing what’s missing. It’s about considering the health of the tissues surrounding the implant, the patient’s bite and function, the materials being used, and the health of the mouth as a whole.
That’s what makes it biological dentistry.
Have Your Implant Placed by a Surgeon
This is an important part of how we care for our implant patients.
Dr. Dickerson does not surgically place implants in our office. Instead, she has developed relationships with trusted surgical specialists who perform the extraction and surgical placement of the zirconia implant.
We believe in referring to the right person for the right job.
The surgical specialist focuses on the surgical portion of your care. Dr. Dickerson focuses on your biological and restorative needs before and after that process.
Once your implant has healed and your surgeon has determined that you’re ready for restoration, you return to Dr. Dickerson’s office for the final phase.
That collaboration allows you to have a team around you rather than feeling like you’re being passed from one provider to another.
Where Does Ozone Fit In?
Ozone therapy is another tool that may be incorporated into Dr. Dickerson’s biological approach.
Ozone has natural antimicrobial properties and can be used in appropriate circumstances to support a healthy oral environment. Depending on the individual patient and where they are in their treatment journey, Dr. Dickerson may incorporate ozone into their care.
We don’t believe in using something simply because we have it available. Every therapy has a purpose, and Dr. Dickerson considers how—and whether—it fits into the patient’s individual needs.
The Implant Is Only One Piece of the Puzzle
One of the things we hear frequently from patients is that they don’t want to be treated like they have a “missing tooth problem.”
They want someone to look at them.
That’s exactly how Dr. Dickerson approaches implant dentistry.
Before moving forward with an implant, she considers the health of your gums and surrounding teeth, your bite, your existing dental work, your health history, your goals, and the circumstances that led to the tooth being lost in the first place.
Sometimes an implant is the right answer.
Sometimes another option makes more sense.
The point is that we want to understand the whole picture before making that decision.
What Does the Zirconia Implant Process Look Like?
Every patient’s journey is a little different, but here’s a general idea of what you can expect.
1. We Start With You
Your first step is a comprehensive evaluation with Dr. Dickerson.
This is your opportunity to tell your story, ask questions, talk about what you’re hoping to accomplish, and give Dr. Dickerson the information she needs to understand your oral health from a biological and functional perspective.
She may recommend diagnostic imaging, including 2D X-rays or a 3D cone beam (CBCT), depending on what is needed to fully understand your situation.
2. We Coordinate With Your Surgical Specialist
If a zirconia implant is appropriate, Dr. Dickerson works with a trusted surgical partner who performs the extraction and implant placement.
You won’t have to figure out who to see or how the pieces fit together on your own. We’ll help coordinate the restorative side of your care with the surgical team.
3. Your Body Gets Time to Heal
After the implant is placed, your surgical provider will monitor the healing process and determine when the implant is ready for restoration.
During your overall treatment journey, Dr. Dickerson may also incorporate biological therapies such as ozone when appropriate.
4. We Restore Your New Tooth
Once your implant has healed and is ready to be restored, you come back to Dr. Dickerson.
This is where the artistry and precision of restorative dentistry come together.
Your restoration is designed not only to look natural, but to function properly within your bite and work harmoniously with your surrounding teeth.
5. We Keep Caring for You
We don’t consider your care finished the day your crown is delivered.
Your gums, surrounding teeth, bite, and implant restoration all deserve ongoing attention. Continued maintenance and monitoring are important parts of protecting your investment and your oral health.
What If I Have a Complicated Health History?
This is a question we hear often.
Many of the patients who find their way to Dr. Dickerson have already been through quite a bit. They may have autoimmune conditions, sensitivities, extensive previous dental work, or a long history of trying to figure out why they don’t feel well.
We don’t believe those details should be brushed aside.
Your health history is part of your dental story.
Dr. Dickerson takes the time to understand your history and your concerns before making recommendations. When appropriate, she can also collaborate with your medical providers and surgical specialists to make sure everyone understands the bigger picture.
For patients who are specifically looking for a metal-free approach, zirconia may be an important part of that conversation.
What About Your Bite?
A missing tooth doesn’t just leave a hole in your smile. It can also affect how your teeth come together and how you use your jaw.
That’s why Dr. Dickerson pays close attention to function and occlusion when restoring an implant.
The goal isn’t simply to make the tooth look beautiful.
It needs to feel like it belongs there, too.
The restoration should be considered within the context of your existing teeth, your bite, your jaw function, and your long-term oral health.
A Different Way to Think About Dental Implants
We know there are plenty of places you can go to have a tooth replaced.
What makes our approach different is the amount of thought we put into everything surrounding that tooth.
What caused it to be lost?
What is happening in the tissues around it?
What materials are being introduced into the mouth?
How is the patient’s bite functioning?
Is an implant truly the best option?
And if it is, how can we restore it in a way that feels consistent with the patient’s overall health goals?
Those questions matter.
Because biological dentistry isn’t about doing more.
It’s about being more thoughtful about what we do, why we do it, and how it fits into the person sitting in front of us.
Why Choose Dr. Dickerson for Zirconia Implant Restoration in Denver?
Dr. Dickerson has spent more than three decades developing a practice centered around biological, functional, and deeply personalized dentistry.
She works with patients who are looking for something beyond a conventional dental experience—patients who care about the materials used in their mouths, who want their health history considered, and who want a dentist who will actually listen to the whole story.
When a zirconia dental implant is appropriate, Dr. Dickerson works alongside trusted surgical specialists for the surgical portion of care and then provides the restorative care once the implant is ready.
It’s a collaborative process.
It’s thoughtful.
And most importantly, it’s centered around you—not just the tooth you’re trying to replace.
If you’re considering a zirconia dental implant and aren’t sure where to begin, we’d love to help you understand your options and determine what makes sense for your individual situation.
Frequently Asked Questions
Are zirconia dental implants safe?
Zirconia has been used in dentistry as a ceramic, metal-free material and is valued for its biocompatibility and tissue-friendly properties. As with any dental treatment, whether a zirconia implant is appropriate depends on the individual patient, their anatomy, oral health, and overall health history.
Why does Dr. Dickerson prefer zirconia implants?
Dr. Dickerson prefers zirconia because it provides a metal-free, ceramic option that aligns with her biological approach to dentistry. She believes carefully considering the materials placed in the body is an important part of personalized dental care.
Does Dr. Dickerson place the implant?
No. Dr. Dickerson collaborates with trusted surgical specialists who perform the extraction and surgical placement of the zirconia implant. Once the implant has healed and is ready for restoration, Dr. Dickerson completes the restorative portion of treatment.
Does Dr. Dickerson use ozone with dental implants?
Ozone may be incorporated into a patient’s biological care plan when appropriate. Ozone has antimicrobial properties and is one of the supportive therapies Dr. Dickerson may use to help maintain a healthy oral environment.
How long does the zirconia implant process take?
The timeline varies depending on the individual patient. Factors such as the condition of the tooth being replaced, the need for extraction or other surgical procedures, healing time, and the patient’s individual anatomy all influence the timeline. Your surgical and restorative providers will help determine the appropriate sequence and timing for your care.
Can zirconia implants be used for patients with complex health histories?
Potentially, yes. Every patient needs to be evaluated individually. Dr. Dickerson works with many patients who have complex health histories and takes those considerations seriously when developing a restorative plan. If you’re considering a zirconia implant, your health history, medications, oral health, and individual circumstances will all be part of the conversation.
Does Dr. Dickerson use fluoride?
No. Our practice is proudly fluoride-free. Dr. Dickerson takes a biological approach to remineralization and oral health that may include hydroxyapatite, xylitol, calcium phosphate, ozone therapy, and individualized nutrition and home-care recommendations.
Start Your Journey to Whole-Body Wellness
Your health deserves a thoughtful, personalized approach.
Schedule your consultation today and experience dental care that truly listens, supports, and heals.
Ready to explore your options? Learn more about our biological dental implants in Denver, or book a free consultation with Dr. Dickerson.
