All-ceramic versus titanium-based implant supported restorations: Preliminary 12-months results from a randomized controlled trial

Abstract

PURPOSE The aim of the present randomized controlled study was to compare prefabricated all-ceramic, anatomically shaped healing abutments followed by all-ceramic abutments and all-ceramic crowns and prefabricated standard-shaped (round-diameter) titanium healing abutments followed by final titanium abutments restored with porcelain-fused-to-metal (PFM) implant crowns in the premolar and molar regions. MATERIALS AND METHODS Forty-two patients received single implants restored either by all-ceramic restorations (test group, healing abutment, final abutment, and crown all made of zirconia) or conventional titanium-based restorations. Immediately after prosthetic incorporation and after 12 months of loading, implant survival, technical complications, bone loss, sulcus fluid flow rate (SFFR) as well as plaque index (PI) and implant stability (Periotest) were analyzed clinically and radiologically. RESULTS After 12 months of loading, an implant and prosthetic survival rate of 100% was observed. Minor prosthetic complications such as chipping of ceramic veneering occurred in both groups. No statistical significant differences were observed between both groups with only a minimum of bone loss, SFFR, and PI. CONCLUSION All-ceramic implant prostheses including a prefabricated anatomically shaped healing abutment achieved comparable results to titanium-based restorations in the posterior region. However, observational results indicate a benefit as shaping the peri-implant soft-tissue with successive provisional devices and subsequent compression of the soft tissue can be avoided.

Trueness and precision of combined healing abutment-scan body system depending on the scan pattern and implant location: An in-vitro study

“…The usage of SBs has improved significantly since they were first introduced and there are various SB designs, as nearly all major manufacturers as well as dental laboratories and third parties are offering these components [9]. However, most of the available SBs and healing abutments (HAs) have cylindrical or conical shapes [4,9,10], which have been a major problem in implant prosthodontics [11,12]. Thus, an interim implant-supported crown or a custom HA is necessary to contour the emergence profile, especially in the anterior region or for molar crowns with wide cervical areas [10].…”

Development of Custom Anatomic Healing Abutment Based on Cone-Beam Computer Tomography Measurement on Human Teeth Cross-Section

“…The soft tissues at the implant have the characteristics of scar tissue, which is the cause of reduced resistance to damaging factors such as the inflammation due to bacterial plaque. This characteristic feature makes it very important to produce the corresponding anatomical structure of the soft tissue around the implant as well as the corresponding shape of crowns and bridges capable of maintaining a high standard of oral cavity hygiene [ 18 ]. This procedure will minimize the incidence of inflammation of soft and hard tissues holding the implant.…”