Objectives: Long-term follow-up observations of zirconia implants are rare. This study aimed at evaluating the clinical performance of two-piece zirconia implants in the posterior jaws over 9 years.
Materials and methods: Sixty partially edentulous patients were treated with two-piece zirconia implants. In eight no primary stability could be achieved. Fifty-two patients received the final restoration (i.e., cemented fibreglass abutments and all-ceramic crowns). After 2 years, 2 implants failed and 4 dropouts were recorded. The remaining 46 patients with one target implant each were recalled at 9 years. Besides implant survival, clinical parameters at the implant level (plaque index-PI, bleeding on probing-BOP, probing depth-PD, mucosal recession-MR) were recorded and compared with previously collected data. Mechanical and technical complications were assessed.
Results: Thirty patients responded. The mean observation period was of 111.1 ± 2.2 months. One implant was lost. Data recorded from the remaining 29 implants were analysed. PI values increased overtime. Mean BOP and PD remained unchanged during follow-up. No additional cases of peri-implantitis were recorded over the 10 diagnosed during the first 2 years of follow-up. No significant changes in mean MR values were detected over time, with 65% of the all included implants exhibiting no recession at 9 years and all the others, but one, a maximum MR of 1 mm. Three technical and 6 mechanical complications occurred in 7 patients between 2- and 9-years (6.9% and 20.7%, respectively, at patient level).
Conclusion: Within the limitations of the present study, a high survival rate was registered. Albeit frequent mechanical and technical complications, two-piece zirconia implants could represent a valid solution for the replacement of single teeth in the posterior jaws.
Keywords: clinical study; implant survival; zirconia implants.
© 2022 The Authors. Clinical Oral Implants Research published by John Wiley & Sons Ltd.