Five-year outcomes in custom zirconia dental implants

In a study published in Clinical Implant Dentistry and Related Research, researchers used five-year follow-up data to examine the clinical performance of custom-made, two-piece zirconia dental implants in 30 patients replacing a missing single maxillary premolar. After the implants were restored with a lithium disilicate crown, the researchers sought to understand several outcomes: manipulation of the implants following placement, how the occlusal scheme affected survival rate and the efficacy of the implant-supported crown. Parameters such as marginal bone-level changes and patient-related outcome measures were evaluated at baseline and one and five years following crown placement.

The researchers found that the survival rate of the custom zirconia dental implants was 75.8% and the success rate was 71.0%, which was lower than expected. Patients with functioning dental implants demonstrated high satisfaction after the five-year follow-up.

As a result of the low survival rate of the zirconia dental implants, the researchers determined them to be “clinically unacceptable” and advised against their use in clinical practice. Further studies may be needed to elucidate the presentations of mechanical failure in these types of dental implants.

Read more: Clinical Implant Dentistry and Related Research

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