Prosthetic outcomes and clinical performance of CAD-CAM monolithic zirconia versus porcelain-fused-to-metal implant crowns in the molar region: 1-year results of a RCT.
OBJECTIVE
To investigate the clinical performance of monolithic zirconia implant crowns as compared to porcelain-fused-to-metal (PFM) implant crowns.


MATERIALS AND METHODS
Seventy-six healthy patients received reduced diameter implants in the molar region. Following random allocation, either a monolithic zirconia crown (Mono-ZrO2 ) or a (PFM) was inserted. Crown and implant survival rates, modified USPHS criteria, clinical measurements, and interproximal marginal bone level (MBL) were assessed at crown delivery (baseline, BL) and at the 1-year follow-up (1y-FU). Data were analyzed descriptively. Fisher's exact test and Wilcoxon rank sum test were applied for statistical analysis. The level of statistical significance was set at p < .05.


RESULTS
Thirty-nine Mono-ZrO2 and 37 PFM crowns were delivered. At the 1y-FU, one crown in each group was lost due to loss of the implant. Technical complications occurred in the PFM group and were limited to four minor ceramic chippings resulting in a total technical complication rate of 11.1% (p = .024). Anatomical form and color match compared to the adjacent dentition were rated significantly inferior for the Mono-ZrO2 crowns. Patient satisfaction was high in both groups at BL (34 Mono-ZrO2 34 PFM) and at 1y-FU (36 Mono-ZrO2 31 PFM). No significant differences between the groups were detected with respect to the change in MBL and to the soft tissue parameters.


CONCLUSIONS
Monolithic zirconia crowns are a similarly successful alternative option to PFM crowns for restoring single implants in the posterior area.
['Mühlemann|Sven|S|https://orcid.org/0000-0003-1253-1813', 'Lakha|Tabrez|T|https://orcid.org/0000-0002-8800-6153', 'Jung|Ronald E|RE|https://orcid.org/0000-0003-2055-1320', 'Hämmerle|Christoph H F|CHF|https://orcid.org/0000-0002-8280-7347', 'Benic|Goran I|GI|https://orcid.org/0000-0001-7551-7934']
D017076:Computer-Aided Design D003442:Crowns D015921:Dental Implants D003776:Dental Porcelain D017267:Dental Prosthesis Design D006801:Humans D008963:Molar D015040:Zirconium
prosthetic outcomes monolithic zirconia implant crowns titanium base