Evaluation of Long-Term Success in Zirconia Implants Versus Titanium Implants: A Comparative Study

The increasing demand for biocompatible and durable dental implants has led to the adoption of zirconia implants as an alternative to the well-established titanium implants. While titanium implants have demonstrated high survival and success rates, zirconia has been proposed to offer superior esthetics and better tissue integration. This study aims to compare the long-term survival and success rates of zirconia and titanium implants over a 5-year period.

This prospective study evaluated 200 patients, divided into two groups: 100 received zirconia implants, and 100 received titanium implants. Parameters such as implant survival, success rate, complications, and peri-implant bone loss were assessed over 5 years. Statistical analysis was performed using Chi-square tests and ANOVA, with P values set at <0.05 for significance.

At the 5-year follow-up, the survival rate of zirconia implants was 94%, while titanium implants demonstrated a slightly higher survival rate of 96%. However, zirconia implants showed significantly better soft tissue integration and less peri-implant inflammation (P < 0.05). Both types of implants had comparable success rates, though titanium implants had a slightly higher incidence of peri-implant bone loss.

Both zirconia and titanium implants offer high survival and success rates after 5 years of follow-up. However, zirconia implants demonstrated better soft tissue response, making them a viable alternative to titanium implants, particularly in esthetically demanding cases.