To determine the survival rate and marginal bone loss (MBL) of zirconia dental implants restored with single crowns or fixed dental prostheses. An electronic search was conducted up to November 2015 (without any restriction regarding the publication time) through the databases MEDLINE (PubMed), Cochrane Library, and EMBASE to identify randomized controlled clinical trials and prospective clinical trials including >15 patients. Primary outcomes were survival rate and MBL. Furthermore, the influence of several covariates on MBL was evaluated. Qualitative assessment and statistical analyses were performed. This review was conducted according to preferred reporting items for systematic reviews and meta-analyses (PRISMA) guidelines for systematic reviews. With the applied search strategy, 4,196 titles could be identified. After a screening procedure, 2 randomized controlled clinical trials and 7 prospective clinical trials remained for analyses. In these trials, a total of 326 patients received 398 implants. The follow-up ranged from 12 to 60 mo. Implant loss was mostly reported within the first year, especially within the healing period. Thereafter, nearly constant survival curves could be observed. Therefore, separate meta-analyses were performed for the first and subsequent years, resulting in an implant survival rate of 95.6% (95% confidence interval: 93.3% to 97.9%) after 12 mo and, thereafter, an expected decrease of 0.05% per year (0.25% after 5 y). Additionally, a meta-analysis was conducted for the mean MBL after 12 mo, resulting in 0.79 mm (95% confidence interval: 0.73 to 0.86 mm). Implant bulk material and design, restoration type, and the application of minor augmentation procedures during surgery, as well as the modes of temporization and loading, had no statistically significant influence on MBL. The short-term cumulative survival rates and the MBL of zirconia implants in the presented systematic review are promising. However, additional data are still needed to confirm the long-term predictability of these implants.

Objective: This review aimed at evaluating the survival and technical complication rates of all‐ceramic implant‐supported single crowns (SC).Material and Methods: Three electronic databases were searched for clinical studies conducted at ≥ 15 patients examining implant‐supported all‐ceramic SCs over ≥ 12 months. Survival rates of implants and restorations plus technical complication rates of SCs were calculated and tested for statistical correlation with confounding variables. Statistical analysis was performed using a negative binomial distribution model to calculate 5‐ and 10‐year survival and complication estimates.Results: Forty‐one included studies reported on implant‐supported SCs made of veneered and monolithic high‐strength oxide ceramics, monolithic, and veneered glass‐based ceramics and of a monolithic resin‐nano‐ceramic (RNC). Survival estimates for SCs of 93% (95% CI: 86.6%–96.4%) after 5 years and 94.4% (95% CI: 91.1%–96.5%) after 10 years were calculated, corresponding values for implant survival were 95.3% (95% CI: 90.6%–97.7%) and 96.2% (95% CI: 95.1%–97.1%). Technical complication rates after 5/10 years were as follows: chipping 9.0% (95% CI: 5.4%–14.8%)/2.7% (95% CI: 2.1%–3.5%), framework fractures 1.9% (95% CI: 0.7%–4.9%)/1.2% (95% CI: 1%–1.5%), screw loosening 3.6% (95% CI: 1.6%–8.4%)/5.2% (95% CI: 3.6%–7.5%), and decementations with 1.1% (95% CI: 0.4%–2.8%) after 5 years. Some confounding variables influenced the above‐mentioned estimates significantly.Conclusions: All‐ceramic implant‐supported SCs showed—with the exception of a RNC material—high survival rates. However, failures and technical complications occurred which have to be considered when informing patients on the treatment with implant‐supported all‐ceramic SCs.

Objective: To assess the survival and technical complication rate of partial and full‐arch all‐ceramic implant‐supported fixed dental prostheses (P‐FDP/FA‐FDP) and supporting implants.Materials and methods: An electronic search through three databases (MEDLINE/Pubmed, Cochrane Library, Embase) was conducted to identify relevant clinical studies with an observation period of at least 12 months, including ≥15 patients. Reconstruction and implant survival rates, technical complications and confounding variables such as processed/installed materials, retention mode and location in the mouth were obtained. Failure and complication rates were analyzed using standard Poisson regression models to calculate 5‐year survival and complication estimates.Results: A total of five studies for the P‐FDP group and seven studies for the FA‐FDP group were included, throughout evaluating veneered zirconia reconstructions. In the P‐FDP group, reconstructions were located in posterior regions. Meta‐analysis indicated survival estimates on the reconstruction level of 98.3% and 97.7% for P‐ and FA‐FDPs after 5 years. However, chipping of the veneering ceramic was frequent, resulting in estimated 5‐year complication rates of 22.8% (P‐FDPs) and 34.8% (FA‐FDPs). Five‐year survival estimates of implants supporting P‐FDPs and FA‐FDPs of 98.5% and 99.4% were calculated, respectively. Including a total of 540 FDPs, one screw‐loosening and 11 de‐cementations were reported. Confounding variables were not found to have a significant influence on survival and complication rates.Conclusions: All‐ceramic implant‐supported P‐ and FA‐FDPs comprising veneered zirconia frameworks showed high survival but clinically inacceptable fracture rates of the veneering ceramic. Their suitability with regard to this indication and a successful long‐term outcome needs to be further evaluated.

While the number of coronavirus cases from 2019 continues to grow, hospitals are reporting shortages of personal protective equipment (PPE) for frontline healthcare workers. Furthermore, PPE for the eyes and mouth, such as face shields, allow for additional protection when working with aerosols. 3-D printing enables the easy and rapid production of lightweight plastic frameworks based on open-source data. The practicality and clinical suitability of four face shields printed using a fused deposition modeling printer were examined. The weight, printing time, and required tools for assembly were evaluated. To assess the clinical suitability, each face shield was worn for one hour by 10 clinicians and rated using a visual analogue scale. The filament weight (21–42 g) and printing time (1:40–3:17 h) differed significantly between the four frames. Likewise, the fit, wearing comfort, space for additional PPE, and protection varied between the designs. For clinical suitability, a chosen design should allow sufficient space for goggles and N95 respirators as well as maximum coverage of the facial area. Consequently, two datasets are recommended. For the final selection of the ideal dataset to be used for printing, scalability and economic efficiency need to be carefully balanced with an acceptable degree of protection.

Mid-term data on zirconia oral implants is very rare. Therefore, the aim of this prospective clinical investigation was to evaluate the survival rate and the marginal bone loss of a one-piece zirconia implant after five years. Patient-reported outcomes were also recorded. Zirconia implants to support single crowns (SC) or a 3-unit fixed dental prosthesis (FDP) were placed and subsequently restored. After the insertion of the implants, at prosthetic delivery, and after five years, standardized radiographs were taken to evaluate marginal bone loss (MBL). For bone tissue evaluation, linear mixed models with random intercepts were fitted. Twenty-seven patients received one implant for an SC and 13 patients received two implants for a 3-unit FDP. Three patients each lost one implant for an SC before prosthetic delivery. Thirty-five patients were seen after five years, and no further implant was lost. The cumulative five-year implant survival rate was 94.3%. The MBL from implant installation up to five years was 0.81 mm. The MBL from implant installation to prosthetic delivery was statistically significant (p < 0.001). Patients perceived a significant improvement in function, esthetics, sense, speech, and self-esteem from pretreatment up to the five-year follow-up. The present findings substantiate the clinical applicability of this implant system.