Randomized Clinical Trial Comparing Biofilm on Zirconia and Titanium Dental Implants

What this Trial Is About

Researchers are conducting a randomized clinical trial to compare the amount and type of biofilm that forms on zirconia dental implants versus titanium dental implants. This pilot study will involve 30 patients receiving single implants, aiming to evaluate biofilm accumulation along with other factors such as bleeding on probing, plaque index, keratinized gingiva, marginal bone loss, and patient satisfaction over a 12-month period. The study follows strict ethical guidelines and uses statistical methods to analyze the data for significant differences between implant types. Participants will receive either a two-piece zirconia implant or a two-piece titanium implant to replace a single missing tooth. Implant placement involves surgical procedures including incisions, flap elevation, alveolar ridge preparation, and implant insertion, followed by antibiotic and anti-inflammatory treatments. After healing periods of three months for mandible and four months for maxilla, final screw-retained metal-ceramic crowns are placed. Evaluations occur before crown placement, at six months, and at one year. Patients will undergo sample collections from the implant site to culture bacteria and assess biofilm amounts at specified intervals. Additional assessments include implant survival, probing depth, bleeding on probing, plaque index, keratinized gingiva measurement, and radiographic evaluation of bone loss using specialized software. Data collection is carefully calibrated for reliability, and patients are monitored throughout the study duration of one year after implant placement.

Biofilm Accumulation in Zirconia vs. Titanium Implants