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

Objectives: 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. To cite this article:
Barter S, Stone P, Brägger U. 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.
Clin. Oral Impl. Res. 23 , 2012; 873–881.
doi: 10.1111/j.1600‐0501.2011.02231.x