Objective To compare oral hygiene parameters, crestal bone stability, and early postoperative outcomes between zirconia root‐analog implants (RAIs) and conventional zirconia implants (CZIs) over 3 months. Materials and Methods This prospective, controlled clinical study included 30 participants assigned to either an RAI or CZI group based on anatomical suitability for fabricating a custom RAI. RAIs were designed from digital scans of the extracted roots and milled from zirconia, while the CZI group received standardized Straumann PURE Ceramic Implants. Clinical indices and cone‐beam computed tomography (CBCT)‐based radiographic measurements were recorded at 1 and 3 months. Data were analyzed using independent t ‐tests and chi‐square tests with a significance level of p < 0.05. Results No significant differences were observed in plaque index (PI) or bleeding on probing (BOP) between groups at 1 and 3 months. Crestal bone height remained stable for both implant types, with only a slight reduction in CZIs. RAIs demonstrated reduced postoperative swelling, pain, and inflammation at 1 month. Soft tissue indices and bone levels were comparable across both groups at 3 months. Conclusion RAIs offered improved early patient comfort and bone preservation, suggesting a potential trade‐off between mechanical reliability and biological performance. Further long‐term studies are needed to optimize RAI design and clinical protocols.
Almarghlani et al. (Thu,) studied this question.