Zirconium dioxide implants as an alternative to titanium: A systematic review

Area of Science:

• Dental Implantology
• Biomaterials Science

Background:

• Evaluating aesthetic and clinical outcomes of dental implants is crucial for patient satisfaction.
• Titanium implants are conventional, but concerns about aesthetics and biocompatibility persist.

Purpose of the Study:

• To compare the aesthetic and clinical benefits of zirconium dioxide implants versus titanium implants.
• To determine the survival and success rates of zirconium dioxide implants in partially edentulous patients.

Main Methods:

• Systematic review of scientific literature up to January 2020.
• PICO question focused on aesthetic benefits of zirconia vs. titanium implants in the upper-anterior sector.
• Outcome measures included aesthetic scores (PAS, WAS), bleeding on probing (BOP), and probing depth (PD).

Main Results:

• Fifteen articles were included in the review.
• Zirconium dioxide implants demonstrated generally better aesthetic scores (pink and white), clinical parameters (peri-implant index, plaque index, probing depth, bone loss, papilla height), and survival/success rates.
• Results suggest aesthetic and clinical advantages of zirconia implants over titanium.

Conclusions:

• Zirconium dioxide implants offer optimal aesthetics, clinical performance, and survival rates.
• Further studies are necessary to validate these positive outcomes for ceramic dental implants.
• Key terms: Ceramic dental implants, zirconia implants, esthetics, zirconium dioxide.