One-year Follow-up of First Consecutive 100 Zirconia Dental Implants in Humans: A Comparison of 2 Different Rough Surfaces

Purpose: The aim of this study was to evaluate the success rate of 100 consecutive zirconia dental implants with 2 different rough surfaces after 1 year of follow-up. Materials and Methods: One-piece zirconia dental implants (CeraRoot, Barcelona, Spain) with 1 of 2 different roughened surfaces were designed and manufactured for this study. Five different implant designs were manufactured. Standard or flapless surgical procedures were used for implant placement. Simultaneous bone augmentation or sinus elevation were performed in the cases where bone height or width was insufficient. Implants in the anterior region (canine to canine) were immediately restored with provisional prostheses. Implants placed using less than 35 N torque were splinted with composite resin using an etched and bonded approach to the neighboring teeth or implants to minimize implant mobility and failure. Definitive all-ceramic restorations were placed 4 months after implant placement (8 months for implants where bone augmentation or sinus elevation was performed). Results: The study included 36 patients with a mean age of 50 years. The overall implant success rate after 1 year of follow-up was 98% in both the coated and noncoated groups. Conclusions: From the preliminary results of this investigation, it can be concluded that zirconia dental implants with roughened surfaces might be a viable alternative for tooth replacement. Further follow-up is needed to evaluate the long-term success rates of the implant surfaces studied. (Case Series) Keywords: bioceramic, ceramic, coatings, dental implants, rough surface, rough topography, zirconia, zirconium oxide