A prospective clinical study to evaluate the performance of zirconium dioxide dental implants in single-tooth gaps.

INTRODUCTION: Dental implants have traditionally been made from titanium or its alloys, but recently full-ceramic implants have been developed with comparable osseointegration properties and functional strength properties to titanium. These ceramic implants may have advantages in certain patients and situations, for example, where esthetic outcomes are particularly important.

OBJECTIVE: The objective of this investigation was to evaluate the performance of a newly developed full-ceramic ZrO2 monotype implant design (PURE Ceramic Implant; Institut Straumann AG, Basel, Switzerland) in single-tooth gaps in the maxilla and mandible.

MATERIAL AND METHODS: This was a prospective, open-label, single-arm study in patients requiring implant rehabilitation in single-tooth gaps. Full-ceramic implants were placed, with provisional and final prostheses inserted after 3 and 6 months, respectively. Crestal bone level was measured at implant placement and after 6 and 12 months. Implant survival and success were evaluated after 6 and 12 months. Further evaluations are planned after 24 and 36 months.

RESULTS: Forty-six patients were screened for potential study participation, of whom 44 (17 men and 27 women, mean age 48 ± 14 years) were recruited into the study. The majority of implants (90.9%) were placed in the maxilla. The implant survival and implant success rate after 12 months were 97.6%. A minor change of the mean bone level occurred between implant loading (final prosthesis insertion after 6 months) and 12 months (-0.14 mm) after initial bone remodeling was observed between implant placement and loading (-0.88 mm).

CONCLUSIONS: The results indicated that monotype ceramic implants can achieve clinical outcomes comparable to published outcomes of equivalent titanium implants.