RecruitingNAINTERVENTIONAL

5-year Follow up Study on the Comparative Performance of Two-piece Zirconia and Titanium Implants

This study is a five-year follow-up comparing two types of dental implants: zirconia and titanium. Dental implants are used to replace missing teeth. Titanium implants are common but can sometimes show a grey colour, which means they are placed deeper. Zirconia implants are tooth-coloured, which might make them look more natural. This research aims to see which type of implant works better in the long term, looking at things like how safe they are, how often problems occur, and how satisfied people are with how their new tooth looks and feels. It also checks if a fully digital way of planning and fitting the implants makes a difference.

At a glance

Status

Recruiting

Phase

Sponsor

The University of Hong Kong

Enrolment target

Start

03 Jan 2022

Estimated completion

01 Mar 2028

Dental Implants Single Tooth Lost Dental Implant Failed

What is this study about?

When you lose a tooth, dental implants are a popular way to replace it. These are like artificial tooth roots that are placed into your jawbone to hold a new crown (the visible part of the tooth). For a long time, titanium implants have been the most common choice because they are very good at integrating with your bone. However, titanium is a silver-grey colour, which means that to make your new tooth look natural, the implant sometimes needs to be placed quite deep under your gum. If it's too deep, it can be harder to keep clean, potentially leading to gum problems.

More recently, a material called zirconia has become available for implants. Zirconia is a strong material that is white, similar to the colour of your natural teeth. This means zirconia implants might be placed in a way that looks more natural without having to be hidden as deeply. This study is designed to compare these two types of implants – the traditional titanium ones and the newer zirconia ones – over a five-year period.

The main goal is to understand how well each type of implant performs in the medium-term. Researchers will be looking at important things like whether any problems (such as infections or the implant breaking) occur, how happy patients are with their new tooth, and how natural it looks. This study also uses modern digital methods for planning the implants, to see if this improves the overall process and outcome.

Key takeaways

This study compares zirconia and titanium dental implants over five years.
It aims to see which implant type works better and looks more natural.
Participants are adults who have already received a single tooth implant.
The study checks for problems, patient satisfaction, and appearance.
It helps improve future dental implant treatments.

Who may be eligible?

To join this study, you need to be at least 18 years old. You must also have lost a single tooth and received a new implant as part of standard care, specifically in certain areas of your mouth (from your first premolar tooth to your first premolar tooth, but not your lower front teeth). Your new tooth must be a ceramic crown held in place with a screw.

It's very important that you're willing to sign a consent form, attend all your planned follow-up appointments, and allow the study team to collect and analyse your anonymous health information. You must also be someone who your doctor believes will be able to complete the study properly.

You cannot join if you are pregnant, planning to become pregnant during the study, or if your doctor thinks there's any reason you wouldn't be able to finish the study or would make the results difficult to understand.

Could this study suit you?

Answer these quick questions to see if you may be eligible. This is a guide only — the research team makes the final call.

Are you 18 years old or older?
Have you had a single tooth replaced with an implant in the specific areas mentioned?
Is your new tooth a ceramic crown held with a screw?
Are you able and willing to attend follow-up appointments for five years?
Are you not currently pregnant or planning to be during the study?

Answer every question to see your result.

What does participation involve?

If you take part in this study, you will have received either a zirconia or titanium dental implant to replace a single missing tooth, along with a ceramic crown. Your involvement is primarily focused on follow-up appointments over five years. These appointments will allow the healthcare team to check how your implant is performing, look for any problems, assess how happy you are with the appearance and function of your new tooth, and collect relevant health information. The specific number and timing of these visits will be explained in detail by the study team, but they are essential for tracking the long-term success of the implants.

Potential risks and benefits

Participating in this study might offer you the benefit of close monitoring of your dental implant over a five-year period, potentially identifying any issues early. You'll also be contributing valuable information that could help improve future dental care for others. As with any medical procedure, there are potential risks associated with dental implants, such as infection or implant failure, though these risks are generally low. The study itself involves regular check-ups, which might take up some of your time. Remember, you have the right to withdraw from the study at any point, without it affecting your ongoing medical care.

Locations (2)

Dusseldorf University Hospital, Poliklinik für Zahnärztliche Prothetik
Verified postcode
Düsseldorf, Germany· Not yet recruiting
Clinical Research Centre, Faculty of Dentistry, the University of Hong Kong
Verified postcode
Hong Kong, Hong Kong· Recruiting

Common questions

What is the main purpose of this study?

It's comparing how well two types of dental implants (zirconia and titanium) perform over five years and how satisfied patients are with them.

What's the difference between zirconia and titanium implants?

Titanium implants are silver-grey, while zirconia implants are tooth-coloured, potentially looking more natural.

How long will I be followed in this study?

The study involves following up with patients for five years after their implant was placed.

Will I get a new implant if I join this study?

No, this study is for people who have already had a single tooth replaced with one of the study implants.

Are there any extra costs involved for me?

The study information does not mention extra costs. Any study expenses should be discussed with the research team.

How to find out more

Melissa R. Fok, Dr.

melfok@hku.hk +852 2859 0301 Official trial record

Always speak to your GP or specialist before deciding to take part in a study.