In vivo Evaluation of Zirconia Abutments in Implant supported Restorations in Partially Edentulous Patients

Dental implants have been a universally accepted option for prosthetic rehabilitation of partially edentulous patients. Titanium implants abutments exhibit a dull grayish hue and give an unnatural appearance. Abutments based on zirconia are one of the alternatives to titanium abutments. To date, few comparative studies have reported on esthetic and biological outcomes of implant-supported restorations with zirconia abutments. Purpose: To clinically evaluate the esthetic performance of zirconia abutments in implant-supported restorations. Materials and methods: A total of 24 anterior implant sites were chosen for the placement of implants. A delayed loading protocol was followed; 12 zirconia abutments were placed along with 12 titanium abutments in the contralateral sites. Biological and esthetic variables were recorded by a periodontist and prosthodontist. The patients were followed 2 weeks, 1, 3, and 6 months postinsertion. Results: All the data for Copenhagen index score and visual analog scale scores were evaluated by the prosthodontist at follow-up appointments; the means were tabulated. The data were statistically analyzed using Statistical Package for the Social Sciences software utilizing paired t-test; p value was found to be significant for all parameters except distal papilla and symmetry, which showed p = 0.257 and p = 0.110 respectively. Conclusion: According to the results of this study, esthetic performances of zirconia abutment in implant-supported restorations were determined to be higher than those values associated with titanium abutments.