title: Alumina reinforced zirconia implants: 1-year results from a prospective cohort investigation.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  The objective of this investigation was to determine the clinical and radiographic outcome of a one-piece alumina-toughened zirconia (ATZ) oral implant for single tooth replacement after 1 year.
  
  
  METHODS
  A total of 27 patients received one ATZ implant each in a one-stage implant surgery with immediate temporization. Standardized radiographs were taken at implant insertion and after 1 year to monitor peri-implant bone loss. Several soft tissue parameters were evaluated at prosthesis insertion and at the 1-year follow-up.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Three patients did not receive a prosthetic reconstruction due to implant loss during the healing period. As a result, 24 patients were seen at the 1-year follow-up, giving a cumulative survival rate of 88.9%. The average marginal bone loss after 1 year was 0.77 mm. Only two implants (8.3%) lost at least 2 mm bone, whereas none of the implants lost more than 3 mm. Probing depth and clinical attachment level increased over 1 year at the implant sites, whereas gingival recession remained stable. Mombelli's bleeding and plaque indices showed no statistically significant change within the first year.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Owing to a total of 27 inserted implants, three failures within the first 4 months after implant placement carry weight. Therefore, the cumulative survival rate of the presented ceramic implant was slightly below reported survival rates of titanium implants when immediately restored. The recorded radiographic bone loss and peri-implant soft tissue parameters showed promising short-term results. The presented ATZ implant seems to be a candidate for clinical usage.
authors: Center for Dental Medicine, Department of Prosthetic Dentistry, Albert-Ludwigs-University, Freiburg, Germany.
authors: Benedikt Christopher
authors: BC
authors: Spies
authors: Private Practice, Freiburg, Germany.
authors: Markus
authors: M
authors: Sperlich
authors: Private Practice, Konstanz, Germany.
authors: Jonathan
authors: J
authors: Fleiner
authors: Institute for Medical Biometry and Statistics, Department for Medical Biometry and Medical Informatics, Albert-Ludwigs-University, Freiburg, Germany.
authors: Susanne
authors: S
authors: Stampf
authors: Center for Dental Medicine, Department of Prosthetic Dentistry, Albert-Ludwigs-University, Freiburg, Germany.
authors: Ralf-Joachim
authors: RJ
authors: Kohal
mesh_terms: D000537:Aluminum Oxide; D016301:Alveolar Bone Loss / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging; D019250:Dental Implants, Single-Tooth; D019232:Dental Restoration Failure; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006801:Humans; D011446:Prospective Studies; D016896:Treatment Outcome; D015040:Zirconium
chemical_list: D015040:Zirconium; D000537:Aluminum Oxide
keywords: Zirconia implants; alumina-toughened zirconia; ceramic implants; clinical trial; prospective