Pre-fabricated zirconium dioxide implant abutments for single-tooth replacement in the posterior region: success and failure after 3 years of function.

OBJECTIVE: Zirconia implant abutments have gained a much broader clinical use over the past few years. The aim of the present study was to assess the clinical performance of a pre-fabricated zirconium dioxide implant abutment for single-tooth replacement in the posterior region.

MATERIALS AND METHODS: Forty implants of the XiVE(®) S plus screw type (DENTSPLY Friadent, Mannheim, Germany) were inserted in the posterior region of 24 patients and provided with zirconium dioxide abutments (FRIADENT(®) CERCON(®) Abutment, DENTSPLY Friadent). The following parameters were used to document the state of soft tissue: modified plaque index, modified sulcus bleeding index and pocket depth. Mesial and distal bone levels were determined on radiographs during the prosthetic treatment and at the 36-month recall.

RESULTS: Thirty-seven implants could be followed up after 36 months in function. One patient wearing two abutments was lost to follow-up. One abutment exhibited a rotational misfit after 2 years in function. A further abutment showed the same failure at the 36-months recall appointment. In the remaining 36 implants the soft and hard tissue parameters were indicative of a low inflammatory status. Compared to the baseline situation, a partly significant bone apposition could be observed. Chipping of parts of the veneering ceramic was registered in 22% of the remaining implant restorations.

CONCLUSIONS: The use of zirconia abutments in this study lead to mainly healthy peri-implant hard and soft tissue conditions but, considering the observed failures after 3 years in function, clinical long-term results should be awaited before recommending full zirconia implant abutments in a posterior indication.