title: A randomized trial on the aesthetic outcomes of implant-supported restorations with zirconia or titanium abutments.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To evaluate the aesthetic outcomes of zirconia versus titanium abutments for single tooth implant-supported crowns in the anterior maxilla.
  
  
  METHODS
  A parallel, double blind clinical trial was conducted at the Complutense University (Madrid), where 38 patients were recruited. After random allocation (via computer-generated permuted blocks), either zirconia (test) or titanium (control) abutments were placed. Intra- and inter-group differences in aesthetic (main outcome), clinical, radiographical, and patient-centred outcomes were evaluated at baseline (crown placement) and at 1-year follow-up.
  
  
  RESULTS
  At 1 year, 25 of the 30 randomized patients were analysed (11 test and 14 control). Using the Implant Crown Aesthetic Index (ICAI), the scoring at baseline and 1-year were 7.9 and 7.6 for the test group and 10.6 and 11.3 for the control group, respectively. These differences were not statistically significant (sample size non-contrasted). Patient satisfaction was similarly high in both groups (visual analogue scale 8.5). Furthermore, no differences were observed in the clinical or radiographical outcomes. Two abutment fractures were registered in the test group.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The use of zirconia abutments demonstrated a tendency towards better aesthetic outcomes although the differences were not statistically significant. However, more technical complications were noted with the use of zirconia abutments.
authors.affiliation: Section of Periodontology, School of Dentistry, Complutense University of Madrid, Madrid, Spain.
authors.forename: Ana
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Carrillo de Albornoz
authors.forename: Fabio
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Vignoletti
authors.forename: Luca
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Ferrantino
authors.forename: Eduardo
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Cárdenas
authors.forename: Massimo
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: De Sanctis
authors.forename: Mariano
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Sanz
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D002516:Ceramics / Q000737:chemistry*; D003116:Color; D017076:Computer-Aided Design; D003442:Crowns; D000044:Dental Abutments; D019250:Dental Implants, Single-Tooth; D003764:Dental Materials / Q000737:chemistry*; D003774:Dental Plaque Index; D017267:Dental Prosthesis Design; D019094:Dental Prosthesis, Implant-Supported; D019232:Dental Restoration Failure; D004311:Double-Blind Method; D004955:Esthetics, Dental; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D017060:Patient Satisfaction; D010512:Periodontal Index; D013499:Surface Properties; D014025:Titanium / Q000737:chemistry*; D016896:Treatment Outcome; D064232:Visual Analog Scale; D015019:Yttrium / Q000737:chemistry*; D015040:Zirconium / Q000737:chemistry*
chemical_list: D003764:Dental Materials; C499362:yttria stabilized tetragonal zirconia; D015019:Yttrium; D015040:Zirconium; D014025:Titanium
keywords: aesthetic outcomes; implant abutment; mucosal recession; single tooth implants; titanium abutment; zirconia abutment