Dentists and Prosthodontics Annual Meeting

The advantages of zirconia implant abutments are enhanced esthetics with less gingival grey-blue discoloration than titanium abutments and enhanced biocompatibility. Dental zirconia (Y-TZP) is becoming the ceramic material of choice for implant abutments, especially in esthetic areas. Nevertheless, most of the data presented to date for zirconia abutments is for the standard platform implants. This lecture will focus on the esthetic parameters of zirconia abutments in implant dentistry. One of the studies that will be thoroughly discussed evaluated the standard and platform switching implant supported restorations as well as different implant designs. This investigation was conducted to assess complications, survival and success rates of zirconia abutments for implant-supported single crowns in esthetic zones. The peri-implant parameters were observed as well as mechanical complications, such as loss of retention and presence or absence of abutment fractures. The pros and cons of zirconia standard platform abutment designs compared to zirconia platform switching abutments will be presented in light of the current available knowledge.