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Published on: June 24, 2018
A 3-Year Split-Mouth Randomized Controlled Clinical Trial of Zirconia and Titanium Implant-Supported Overdentures
Kristian Kniha1,2, Lothar Rink3, Mark Ooms1
1Department of Oral and Cranio-Maxillofacial Surgery, University Hospital RWTH Aachen, Pauwelsstraße 30, 52074 Aachen, Germany.
Aim:
This study aimed to compare two-piece zirconia and two-piece titanium implants inserted into the anterior mandible for removable overdentures in a 3-year randomized split-mouth clinical trial.
Methods:
Twenty fully edentulous mandibular patients received two zirconia and two titanium implants allocated by computer-generated randomization. The primary endpoint was bleeding-on-probing (BOP) at 12 months. Secondary outcomes included implant survival and success (Albrektsson criteria), marginal bone level changes, peri-implant cytokines (IL-1β, IL-6, and TNFα), prosthetic complications, and patient-reported outcomes (PROMs).
Results:
After 3 years, overall survival was 98.61% and overall success was 84.72%. Titanium implants showed higher success compared with zirconia implants (91.70% vs. 77.78%), while survival was 100% and 97.22%, respectively. Marginal bone loss was significantly greater around zirconia implants at 36 months (p < 0.01). No significant differences were observed in IL-1β, IL-6, or TNFα levels up to 12 months. PROMs revealed a trade-off, with zirconia favored for esthetics and cleaning perception, while titanium was rated superior for stability.
Conclusions:
Within the limitations of this split-mouth RCT, zirconia implants demonstrated reduced success and inferior marginal bone stability compared with titanium implants in overdenture therapy. Careful case selection and close follow-up appear essential when zirconia implants are used in this indication.
