Alumina reinforced zirconia implants: 1-year results from a prospective cohort investigation

• Published in: Clinical oral implants research Vol. 27; no. 4; pp. 481 - 490
• Main Authors: Spies, Benedikt Christopher, Sperlich, Markus, Fleiner, Jonathan, Stampf, Susanne, Kohal, Ralf-Joachim
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Denmark Blackwell Publishing Ltd 01-04-2016; Wiley Subscription Services, Inc
• Subjects: alumina-toughened zirconia; Aluminum Oxide; Alveolar Bone Loss - diagnostic imaging; Bleeding; Bone implants; Bone loss; ceramic implants; clinical trial; Dental implants; Dental Implants, Single-Tooth; Dental materials; Dental Restoration Failure; Dentistry; Follow-Up Studies; Humans; Insertion; Parameters; Patients; prospective; Prospective Studies; Prostheses; Radiographs; Radiography; Recession; Statistical analysis; Surgery; Surgical implants; Survival; Teeth; Treatment Outcome; Zirconia; Zirconia implants; Zirconium; Zirconium dioxide; clinical trial; alumina-toughened zirconia; Zirconia implants; prospective; ceramic implants
• ISSN: 0905-7161; 1600-0501
• DOI: 10.1111/clr.12560

Objective
The objective of this investigation was to determine the clinical and radiographic outcome of a one‐piece alumina‐toughened zirconia (ATZ) oral implant for single tooth replacement after 1 year.
Materials and Methods
A total of 27 patients received one ATZ implant each in a one‐stage implant surgery with immediate temporization. Standardized radiographs were taken at implant insertion and after 1 year to monitor peri‐implant bone loss. Several soft tissue parameters were evaluated at prosthesis insertion and at the 1‐year follow‐up.
Results
Three patients did not receive a prosthetic reconstruction due to implant loss during the healing period. As a result, 24 patients were seen at the 1‐year follow‐up, giving a cumulative survival rate of 88.9%. The average marginal bone loss after 1 year was 0.77 mm. Only two implants (8.3%) lost at least 2 mm bone, whereas none of the implants lost more than 3 mm. Probing depth and clinical attachment level increased over 1 year at the implant sites, whereas gingival recession remained stable. Mombelli's bleeding and plaque indices showed no statistically significant change within the first year.
Conclusion
Owing to a total of 27 inserted implants, three failures within the first 4 months after implant placement carry weight. Therefore, the cumulative survival rate of the presented ceramic implant was slightly below reported survival rates of titanium implants when immediately restored. The recorded radiographic bone loss and peri‐implant soft tissue parameters showed promising short‐term results. The presented ATZ implant seems to be a candidate for clinical usage.