Monolithic zirconia single tooth implant-supported restorations with CAD/CAM titanium abutments in the posterior region: A 1-year prospective case series study

PURPOSE: To assess the clinical, radiographic, and patient-reported outcome measures, including the success of screw-retained monolithic zirconia implant-supported restorations with CAD/CAM titanium abutments in the posterior region during a 1-year follow-up.

METHODS: In a prospective case series, 50 molar sites in the posterior region of 46 patients with a minimum age of 18 years and sufficient bone volume and anatomical conditions for placing an implant (≥8 mm) and an anatomical restoration were included. Parallel-walled implants with a conical connection were inserted in a two-stage surgical procedure. Implant uncovering and healing abutment placement occurred 12 weeks after insertion. Two weeks after mucosa healing, a screw-retained monolithic zirconia restoration with a CAD/CAM titanium abutment was placed. Clinical, radiographic, and patient-reported outcome measures were collected at baseline before implant placement and then during the 1 month and 1 year follow-ups.

RESULTS: At the 1 year follow-up, 49 restorations could be evaluated. The plaque accumulation, presence of calculus, bleeding tendency and peri-implant inflammation indices were low, representing healthy peri-implant conditions. The mean marginal bone level change between the 1 month and the 1 year follow-up was -0.17 ± 0.46 mm. The mean patient satisfaction was high. The restoration success was, according to the modified USPHS criteria, 95.9%.

CONCLUSION: Monolithic zirconia implant-supported restorations with CAD/CAM titanium abutments have very good clinical, radiographic and patient-reported outcomes after 1 year in function.