Ceramics in implant dentistry (Working Group 1).

Area of Science:

• Dental Implantology
• Biomaterials Science
• Prosthodontics

Background:

• The working group aimed to enhance the current understanding of ceramic materials in implant dentistry.
• This update is based on reviews from a previous working group, incorporating clinical applications and research recommendations.

Purpose of the Study:

• To systematically review the performance of ceramic versus metal implant abutments.
• To assess the viability of ceramic implants as alternatives to titanium implants.
• To compare the survival and complication rates of CAD-CAM fabricated reconstructions with conventionally fabricated ones.

Main Methods:

• A critical literature review was conducted on ceramic and metal implant abutments.
• Systematic reviews evaluated ceramic implants as alternatives to titanium.
• Literature was analyzed to compare survival and complications of CAD-CAM versus conventional reconstructions.

Main Results:

• Performance data for ceramic and metal implant abutments supporting fixed reconstructions were reviewed.
• The viability of ceramic implants as alternatives to titanium implants was systematically reviewed.
• Survival and complication data for CAD-CAM versus conventionally fabricated reconstructions were analyzed.

Conclusions:

• Consensus statements, clinical implications, and future research directions were formulated based on the review findings.
• Evidence supports the evaluation of ceramic abutments and implants in specific clinical scenarios.
• Further research is needed to fully elucidate the long-term outcomes of ceramic implant solutions.