Zirconia dental implants: A clinical and radiographic evaluation.

OBJECTIVE: Limited clinical evidence has been reported in dental literature regarding zirconia dental implants. The aim of the present retrospective consecutive case series was to evaluate the clinical outcome of zirconia dental implants with 1 to 5 years of follow-up.

CLINICAL CONSIDERATIONS: The clinical outcome of 24 implants in 12 consecutive patients (male 5, female 7) with a mean age of 55 years (range 27-86) is reported. Radiographic crestal bone level was assessed by the use of "ImageJ" software program. Gingival and plaque indices were recorded at baseline and latest follow-up.

CONCLUSION: The overall success rate of zirconia implants was 92%. Within the limitations of the present clinical evaluation, zirconia implants provided excellent clinical results and esthetic outcomes. A mean periimplant bone loss of 0.3 mm was measured in 33.3% of the implants and 66.7% were not affected by radiographic detectable periimplant bone loss. Two implants in two patients failed. Low gingival and plaque indices were predominant values for both interim and final restorations. The apparent less affinity to plaque accumulation may favor soft tissue health around zirconia dental implants and decrease the risk of inflammation or infection. Zirconia dental implant merits further investigation.

CLINICAL SIGNIFICANCE: Zirconia dental implants are emerging as an option in clinical practice of implant dentistry providing stable clinical results and esthetic outcomes.