Success and survival rates of narrow diameter implants made of titanium-zirconium alloy in the posterior region of the jaws - results from a 1-year follow-up

ObjectiveThe aim of the present prospective clinical study was to evaluate and to compare the success and survival rates of narrow diameter implants made of titanium-zirconium alloy and commercially pure titanium. Materials and MethodsForty-two healthy adult patients scheduled for implant-supported single restorations were included in the study. In each patient, a titanium-zirconium alloy (Test group) or a commercially pure titanium (Control group) narrow diameter implants was installed in the posterior regions of the jaws. After 8weeks of healing, all metal-ceramic single crowns were adapted to the implants and the patients enrolled in a plaque control program. The survival and success rates of the implants and the success rate of the implant-supported prosthesis were evaluated following 1year of loading. Furthermore, mobility (M), suppuration (S), clinical probing depth (CPD), and bleeding on probing (BoP) were measured around the implants at 6weeks of healing (T1) and 12months after loading (T2). ResultsIn T2, survival and success rates for both groups were 95.2%. The corresponding value for the success rate of the implant-supported prosthesis was 100% in both groups. The average CPD was the following: 2.29 (0.52) and 2.59 (+/- 0.52) (P<0.05) in the Test and Control groups, respectively, at T1; and 3.0mm (+/- 0.74) and 3.07mm (+/- 0.90) (P>0.05) in the Test and Control groups, respectively, at T2. There was no statistically significant difference between groups concerning about S, M, and BoP at T1 and T2 (P>0.05). ConclusionThe present study suggests that, in a short-term follow-up, narrow diameter implants made of either titanium-zirconium alloy or commercially pure titanium may be used to support single crowns in the posterior portions of the jaws.