title: Current findings regarding zirconia implants.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  The present article aims to analyze the available clinical data on the survival and success rate of dental zirconia implants (ZI).
  
  
  METHODS
  Studies (2006-2011) listed in the bibliography were obtained by using the key words "zirconia, zirconium, implants, dental, clinical" and combinations of these in different databases and on the internet. These articles served as a basis for the article.
  
  
  RESULTS
  A total of 17 clinical studies were found, involving 1,675 implants and 1,274 patients. In 16 studies, one-piece implant systems were investigated. The survival rates for ZI range from 74-98% after 12-56 months, with success rates between 79.6-91.6% 6-12 months after prosthetic restoration. However, the design of most of the studies show considerable shortcomings, and only low evidence level.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The small number of studies and the limited period of observation permit only a qualified statement on the clinical success of ZI. The results available to date indicate that ZI are inferior to titanium implants (TI) with regard to survival and success rates. Well-conducted long-term studies are urgently needed to permit a meaningful assessment of the survival or success rates of ZI and a statement concerning their application as an alternative to TI.
authors.affiliation: Associate professor, Department of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery, Heinrich-Heine-University Düsseldorf, Düsseldorf, Germany Assistant professor, Department of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery, Heinrich-Heine-University Düsseldorf, Düsseldorf, Germany Associate professor, Department of Operative Dentistry, Periodontology and Endodontics, Heinrich-Heine-University Düsseldorf, Düsseldorf, Germany Associate professor, Department of Oral Surgery, Heinrich-Heine-University Düsseldorf, Düsseldorf, Germany Department for Cranio- and Maxillofacial Surgery, Heinrich-Heine-University Düsseldorf, Moorenstr. 5, 40225 Düsseldorf, Germany Head of Department of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery, Heinrich-Heine-University Düsseldorf, Düsseldorf, Germany.
authors.forename: Rita
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Depprich
authors.forename: Christian
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Naujoks
authors.forename: Michelle
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Ommerborn
authors.forename: Frank
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Schwarz
authors.forename: Norbert R
authors.initials: NR
authors.lastname: Kübler
authors.forename: Jörg
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Handschel
mesh_terms: D015921:Dental Implants; D006801:Humans; D011475:Prosthesis Failure; D015040:Zirconium
chemical_list: D015921:Dental Implants; D015040:Zirconium
keywords: outcome; review; success rate; survival; zirconia implants