Does placement of one-piece zirconia implants influence crestal bone loss? Retrospective evaluation 1 year after prosthetic loading.

To evaluate the impact of immediate and delayed zirconia implant placement on crestal bone loss and the clinical outcomes achieved with this approach 1 year after prosthetic loading. Further objectives were to evaluate the influence of age, sex, smoking, implant dimensions, platelet-rich fibrin application and location of the implants in the jawbone on the crestal bone level. Clinical and radiographic analysis were performed to evaluate the success rates for both groups. The data were analysed statistically through a linear regression analysis. No significant difference was found between immediate and delayed implant placement concerning the amount of crestal bone loss. Sex, age, bone augmentation, diabetes and prosthetic complications did not have a statistically significant influence; only smoking had a negative and statistically significant influence on crestal bone loss (P < 0.05). Immediate or delayed placement of one-piece zirconia implants may be a good alternative to the use of titanium implants concerning success and survival.