Residual Ridge Resorption – Revisited

Abstract

Implant treatment is currently overriding other prosthetic solutions especially in the case of replacing anterior teeth in the aesthetic zone. Aesthetic complications that may follow such treatment are a major concern as the sole reason for patients seeking treatment may be to improve aesthetics. The introduction of zirconia dental ceramics provided a multitude of solutions to overcome complications encountered with titanium implants via using tooth coloured abutments, titanium implants with soft tissue-zirconia collar and most recently, zirconia dental implants. The aim of this paper is to introduce zirconia dental implants, scrutinise in vivo, in vitro and clinical research evidence regarding their properties and performance and finally, present five clinical cases to demonstrate clinical technique and final outcome of a novel two-piece, root-form, soft tissue level zirconia implant system after several follow ups.