Zirconia reconstructions cemented on non-original titanium bases may result in increased bleeding on probing, probing depth values and varying mean marginal bone levels.

PURPOSE: To assess the clinical, technical, and esthetic outcomes of directly veneered zirconia abutments cemented onto non-original titanium bases over 3 years. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A total of 24 healthy patients with a single missing tooth in the maxilla or mandible (incisors, canines, or premolars) received a two-piece implant with a screw-retained veneered zirconia restoration extraorally cemented on a titanium base abutment. Baseline measurements and follow-up examinations were performed at 6 months, 1 year, and 3 years following loading. Radiographic, clinical, technical, and esthetic parameters were assessed. Wilcoxon signed rank test was used to analyze the data. RESULTS: Mean marginal bone levels measured 0.54 +/- 0.39 mm (median: 0.47 mm, range: 0.07 mm to 1.75 mm) at baseline and 0.52 +/- 0.39 mm (median: 0.39 mm, range: 0.06 mm to 1.33 mm) at 3 years. Mean probing depth around the implants increased from 3.0 +/- 0.6 mm at baseline to 3.8 +/- 0.8 mm at 3 years (P = .001). Bleeding on probing changed from 27.1% +/- 20.7% (baseline) to 51.5% +/- 26.1% (3 years) (P = .001). The mean plaque control record amounted to 11.1% +/- 21.2% (baseline) and 14.4% +/- 13.89% (3 years) (P = .261). Two implants were lost at 3.5 and 30 months postloading due to peri-implantitis, resulting in a 91.7% implant survival rate. Patient satisfaction was high at 3 years. CONCLUSION: Zirconia restorations cemented onto the tested non-original titanium bases should not be recommended for daily clinical use, as they were associated with significant increases in BOP and PD values and varying marginal bone levels 3 years after placement.