Custom-made root-analogue zirconia implants: A scoping review on mechanical and biological benefits

The aim of this study was to conduct a literature review on the potential benefits of custom-made root-analogue zirconia implants. A PubMed and ScienceDirect bibliographical search was carried out from 1969 to 2017. The increased interest in zirconia-based dental structures linked to aesthetic and biological outcomes have been reported in literature. Recent technological advances have focused on novel strategies for modification of zirconia-based surfaces to accelerate osseointegration. However, only a few studies revealed mechanical and biological benefits of custom-made root-analogue zirconia implants and therefore further studies should investigate the influence of different design and surface modification on the performance of such implants. Custom-made root-analogue zirconia implants have become a viable alternative to overcome limitations concerning stress distribution, aesthetics, and peri-implantitis induced by biofilms. However, further in vitro and in vivo studies on surface-bone interactions and mechanical behavior of zirconia should be evaluated to reduce clinical issues regarding mechanical failures and late peri-implant bone loss. © 2018 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Biomed Mater Res Part B: Appl Biomater, 106B: 2888-2900, 2018.