title: A pilot study to evaluate the success and survival rate of titanium-zirconium implants in partially edentulous patients: results after 24 months of follow-up.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  Implants made from a new titanium-zirconium (TiZr) alloy (Roxolid) have shown good osseointegration with no adverse effects in animal studies. This single-cohort pilot study was performed to evaluate the performance and safe use of reduced-diameter implants made from this new TiZr alloy for the first time in human subjects, in a prospective case-controlled series.
  
  
  METHODS
  In two private specialist clinics, each of 22 patients received one 3.3 mm TiZr test implant with a Regular Neck Standard Plus design. The use of the new implant was restricted to the indications and protocol for the use of the existing 3.3 mm diameter regular-neck implant made from Grade IV titanium. The test implants were splinted to a standard Grade IV titanium Regular Neck implant with a fixed dental prosthesis.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Twenty of 22 patients had a successful and surviving implant at the 2-year follow-up; one study implant was lost 80 days after placement due to infection spreading from an adjacent tooth and one patient did not complete the 2-year assessment. The mean change in the functional bone level 2 years after loading was -0.33 ± 0.54 mm (-0.32 ± 0.61 mm and -0.34 ± 0.63 mm mesial and distal, respectively). Patients had healthy peri-implant soft tissues, as indicated by mean probing pocket depths ranging from 2.21 to 2.89 mm after 2 years.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Within the limits of this pilot study, the performance of the new implant material was safe and reliable. The new implants meet established success and survival criteria after 2 years.
authors.affiliation: Perlan Specialist Dental Centre, Eastbourne, East Sussex, UK. sb@perlan.co.uk
authors.forename: Stephen
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Barter
authors.forename: Paul
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Stone
authors.forename: Urs
authors.initials: U
authors.lastname: Brägger
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D016022:Case-Control Studies; D003758:Dental Implantation, Endosseous / Q000379:methods*; D015921:Dental Implants; D017267:Dental Prosthesis Design; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006801:Humans; D007576:Jaw, Edentulous, Partially / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000534:rehabilitation*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D010865:Pilot Projects; D011446:Prospective Studies; D011859:Radiography; D015996:Survival Rate; D014025:Titanium; D016896:Treatment Outcome; D015040:Zirconium
chemical_list: D015921:Dental Implants; D015040:Zirconium; D014025:Titanium