Titanium‐zirconium narrow‐diameter versus titanium regular‐diameter implants for anterior and premolar single crowns: 1‐year results of a randomized controlled clinical study

AIM: To test whether titanium-zirconium (TiZr) 3.3 mm diameter implants perform differently from titanium (Ti) 4.1 mm diameter implants with respect to marginal bone level (MBL) and clinical parameters. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Forty subjects in need of a single implant-supported crown in the anterior or premolar regions were recruited in two centres. After random allocation, either a Ti or a TiZr implant was placed. Definitive crowns were inserted 6 months after implant placement. Implant survival, change in MBL, clinical parameters and occurrence of adverse events were assessed at the 1-year examination. RESULTS: At 1 year, 38 of the 40 included patients were examined (18 Ti and 20 TiZr implants). All the implants were in place and stable. From the implant placement to the 1-year examination, the change of MBL amounted to -0.40 mm in the Ti group and -0.41 mm in the TiZr group. There were no significant differences between the groups regarding the change in MBL, the clinical parameters and the occurrence of adverse events. CONCLUSIONS: The use of TiZr implants with narrow diameter for the support of single crowns in the anterior and premolar regions leads to successful tissue integration and clinical performance over a 1-year period.