Monolithic and Minimally Veneered Zirconia Complications as Implant-Supported Restorative Material: A Retrospective Clinical Study up to 5 Years

OBJECTIVE: Long-term clinical data on the success and complication rates of monolithic or minimally veneered zirconia implant-supported restorations are lacking. Hence, the purpose of this retrospective clinical study was to analyze the complications of monolithic or partially veneered zirconia implant-supported restorations up to 5 years follow-up. Material and Methods. Single crowns, bridges, and full-arch rehabilitations were included. The selection process was achieved by reviewing data from the prosthetic laboratory and excluding cases in which zirconium and full-ceramic coating restorations were used. A total of 154 restorations were included (82 monolithic and 72 with buccal ceramic stratification). All the complications encountered, and the solutions applied, were explained. RESULTS: A total of 93 restorative units had a follow-up of between 24 and 60 months, and 61 restoration units had a follow-up of between 12 and 24 months. A total of 7 complications were encountered (14.58% of cases; 95.45% per prosthetic unit). The technical complication rate was 2.08% (one case of minor chipping in one prosthetic unit); regarding the mechanical complications, four decementations (8.33% of the cases) and two screw loosening (4.17% of the cases) were encountered. CONCLUSIONS: Considering the limitations of this study, it can be concluded that monolithic or partially veneered zirconia implant-supported restorations have a good clinical behavior during a follow-up period of up to 5 years.