Zero metal, zero corrosion
Ceramic implants hold their structure for decades without shedding ions or reacting to other dental work.
- Medical-grade zirconia ceramic
- No galvanic currents
- White, tooth-colored material
- Biocompatibility testing available
Metal-Free Dental Implants in St. Petersburg, Florida
Zirconia implants in
Zirconia implants in
St. Petersburg, FL.
Dr. Carlo Litano, DMD, places metal-free zirconia implants at Natural Smiles in Mirror Lake, downtown St. Petersburg. He trained under Dr. Ulrich Volz, follows the Swiss BioHealth protocol, and often restores the crown same day.
Why Zirconia
Why choose a zirconia implant
A zirconia implant is milled from medical-grade ceramic with no metal content. We plan each case with a detailed CBCT scan and place every implant under the Swiss BioHealth protocol.
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CBCT-planned placement
Every implant starts with a 3D scan, so placement is planned around bone density, nerves, and sinus anatomy before surgery begins.
- CBCT imaging
- 3D bone density mapping
- Guided placement planning
- Single-piece and two-piece options
Swiss BioHealth Protocol
Dr. Litano follows the surgical and healing protocol developed at Swiss BioHealth in Kreuzlingen, Switzerland, where he trained under Dr. Ulrich Volz.
- Ozone-disinfected sites
- LPRF bone-graft healing
- Vitamin D testing available
- Ceramic-only implant systems
Zirconia vs Titanium
Zirconia compared with titanium implants.
Titanium implants have a long history and work well for many patients. Zirconia avoids corrosion, galvanic currents and gray margins under thin gum tissue. A Freiburg University study found titanium particles in nearby tissue in nearly 80 percent of peri-implantitis cases. A 2026 meta-analysis found zirconia outcomes similar to titanium.
Swipe left or right to see the full table
| Property | Zirconia ceramic | Titanium |
|---|---|---|
| Material | Medical-grade ceramic, 100% metal-free | Titanium metal alloy |
| Corrosion | Does not corrode | Can corrode and shed ions over time |
| Galvanic currents | None, ceramic is non-conductive | Possible alongside other metals in the mouth |
| Color under gums | White and tooth-like | Gray, can shadow through thin gum tissue |
| Body response | Metal-free, with biocompatibility testing available | Sensitivity and immune response possible in some patients |
| At Natural Smiles | CBCT-planned, Swiss BioHealth protocol, same-day in many cases | Not placed. Natural Smiles is a metal-free practice |
The Process
Your zirconia treatment in four stages.
Treatment moves through four stages, from imaging to healing. Patients who travel to St. Petersburg can complete the surgical phase in one trip.
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Consultation and 3D scan
A CBCT scan maps bone density, nerve position, and sinus anatomy. Dr. Litano reads the scan alongside your dental and health history, then writes a treatment plan with a cost estimate before any work begins.
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Surgical placement
The site is disinfected with medical-grade ozone and the implant, single-piece or two-piece per the plan, is placed under the Swiss BioHealth protocol. LPRF drawn from your own blood supports the site from day one.
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Healing and integration
Zirconia integrates with the jawbone over the following weeks. Healing time varies per site and is tracked with follow-up imaging; ozone and LPRF keep the site clean without antibiotics in most cases.
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Final restoration
The in-house lab scans with Primescan and mills a metal-free zirconia crown on-site, in about three hours for single crowns. No putty impressions, no outside lab, no weeks in a temporary.
Same-day placement and restoration are possible in many cases. The CBCT scan determines the timeline for each site.
Same-Day Zirconia
Same-day restoration in our own lab.
The CBCT scanner and ozone station are in our office. Our in-house lab mills a single zirconia crown in about three hours, so many crowns are designed and placed in one visit.
CBCT 3D scanner
Three-dimensional bone and soft-tissue imaging that flat 2D x-rays walk past.
- Volumetric capture
- Reads bone density in 3D
- Maps nerves and sinus anatomy
- Guides implant position
In-house CAD/CAM lab
Primescan digital scanning and a Sirona MC X5 mill turn out same-visit zirconia restorations.
- Primescan digital impressions
- Sirona MC X5 mill on-site
- Zirconia in about three hours
- No goopy putty trays
Ozone therapy station
Medical-grade ozone disinfects surgical sites and implant beds without antibiotics.
- Implant site preparation
- Extraction socket disinfection
- Antibiotic-free protocol
- Faster post-op healing
Trained in Switzerland
Trained by the pioneer of ceramic implants.
Dr. Ulrich Volz developed the first FDA-cleared ceramic dental implant and founded Swiss BioHealth in Kreuzlingen, Switzerland. Dr. Carlo Litano, DMD studied under him directly and uses the Swiss BioHealth protocol at his practice in the Tampa Bay area. Every zirconia case at Natural Smiles is planned, placed, and finished to the same standard.
- DMD
- IAOMT SMART certified
- SDS Swiss BioHealth Protocol
- Holistic Dental Association board of directors
- International Academy of Ceramic Implantology
Patient Reviews
Zirconia implant reviews from Natural Smiles patients.
Patients fly in from across the U.S. for ceramic implants and drive in from across Florida. A few in their own words, from 700+ reviews averaging 4.9 stars on Google, Facebook and Healthgrades.
- RecommendedFacebook
"I drive over an hour each way to see these people but they are the best. Very meticulous and confirm to the idea of first do no harm. A rare thing in modern dentistry."
Mark F. - RecommendedFacebook
"Dr. Litano is a saint! I was dreading having to have a tooth pulled and he put my mind to ease. Love how he’s a one stop shop for removal + putting in a non toxic implant! He is very kind & caring too!"
Natalie T. - ★★★★★Google
"This isn't your average or even better dentist, Dr Litano knows his craft, has all the best tools, and is exceptionally gifted to provide the best care in a way that makes you feel comfortable and safe. Highly recommend!"
Kathy M.
Zirconia Implant FAQ
Questions about zirconia implants in St. Petersburg.
Here are answers on materials, healing, timelines and visiting St. Petersburg for zirconia implant care.
Zirconia is metal-free and biocompatible, so it does not corrode or set up the galvanic reactions some patients have with titanium. Our in-house CAD/CAM lab places zirconia the same day in many cases. Metal-free dentistry.
Yes. Zirconia is a medical-grade ceramic with zero metal content. It does not corrode, sheds no metal ions, and sets up no galvanic currents with other dental work. Biocompatibility testing is available for patients with material sensitivities.
In many cases, yes. The CBCT scan determines the timeline. When bone volume and the extraction site allow it, Dr. Litano places the implant and the in-house lab restores it in one visit. Same-day crowns.
About three hours for a single crown. The in-house lab scans with Primescan, designs the restoration digitally, and mills it on-site, with no putty impressions and no outside lab. Office technology.
A holistic extraction with ozone disinfection and LPRF bone-graft healing prepares the site for a ceramic implant. When conditions allow, extraction and implant placement happen in a single visit. Holistic extractions.
Costs depend on the treatment plan: the number of implants, any extractions or grafting, and the restoration. You receive a written estimate after the consultation and 3D scan, before any work begins, and the team walks you through payment and insurance reimbursement options. Ask about your case.
Candidacy comes down to bone volume, site health, and treatment goals, all read from the CBCT scan at your consultation. Failed root canals, old extraction sites, and metal sensitivities are the cases zirconia implants serve at Natural Smiles. Root canal alternatives.
Yes. Patients fly in from across the U.S. and around the world. A private apartment one floor above the clinic lets traveling patients complete surgery, healing checks, and restoration without booking a separate trip. Plan a visit.
Schedule
Zirconia implant consultations in downtown St. Petersburg.
A consultation with a 3D scan gives you a written treatment plan and cost estimate before any decisions. Call (727) 300-0044 or request a visit online.