Defense Date

2024

Document Type

Thesis

Degree Name

Master of Science

Department

Dentistry

First Advisor

Amirreza Ghassemi

Second Advisor

Janina Golob Deeb

Third Advisor

Caroline Carrico

Fourth Advisor

Anusha Vaddi

Abstract

Objective: The aim of this study is to evaluate the clinical performance of zirconia implants when used for the replacement of a single tooth in a delayed-loading protocol with up to 2-year follow-up

Methods: This retrospective analysis encompassed only individuals who received zirconia implants for the rehabilitation of a single edentulous site. Data was obtained from one private practice and sourced from patient’s dental records. Study data were collected and managed using Research Electronic Data Capture (REDcap) tools hosted at Virginia Commonwealth University. The outcomes examined in this study included implant survival, marginal bone loss (MBL), using periapical radiographs, and technical and biological complications. These outcomes were measured at baseline (immediate postoperative), 3 months (Torque Test),1-year and 2-year follow-up. Systemic conditions, such as Diabetes, history of Bisphosphonates therapy, and history of Periodontitis, were included. The patient’s history of smoking was also reported in this study.

Results: Data was collected from 81 implants. Seventy percent of the patients were female, the average age was 58 (SD=12.3), and most sites were posterior (mandibular posterior accounted for 48% of the sites, and 36% were maxillary posterior sites). Out of the 81 implants, there was only one instance of an implant failure. The implant survival rate was 98.77%. This implant was that of a diabetic patient with well-controlled A1c. Implants were measured at both the mesial and distal sites for a total of 160 bone-level measurements. Comparing the torque test to the immediate postoperative bone levels, the median change in bone level was a bone loss of 0.26mm (IQR: 0.04, 0.91). From immediate postoperative to the 1-year follow-up, the median change in bone level was a loss of 0.48mm (IQR: 0.01, 1.41). At the 2-year mark, the median change in bone level was 0.71mm, indicating a loss (IQR: -0.04, 1.10).

Conclusion: Within the limitations of this study, Zirconia implants have been demonstrated to be an acceptable alternative to Titanium implants when replacing a single tooth for at least a 2-year follow-up.

Rights

© Roxana Rodriguez

Is Part Of

VCU University Archives

Is Part Of

VCU Theses and Dissertations

Date of Submission

5-7-2024

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