One-year follow up of titanium/zirconium alloy X commercially pure titanium narrow-diameter implants placed in the molar region of the mandible: a randomized controlled trial

The aim of the present randomized controlled trial study was to analyze marginal bone loss (MBL) and clinical parameters around narrow-diameter implants (NDIs - 3.3 mm) made of titanium/zirconium alloy (TiZr) in comparison to commercially pure titanium (cpTi) installed in the molar region of the mandible after one year in function. Ten patients participated in the study. A TiZr and a cpTi NDI were randomly installed in contralateral molar sites of the mandible of each patient in a split-mouth design. Eight weeks after healing, all metal-ceramic single crowns were adapted to the implants and patients were enrolled in a plaque control program. MBL at the mesial and distal aspects of the implants were evaluated by comparing periapical radiographs taken immediately after prosthesis installation (T1) and one year after loading (T2). Clinical probing depth, bleeding on probing, suppuration, visible plaque, and implant mobility were evaluated to determine implant success and survival rates. Mean MBL at the interproximal aspects of TiZr implant sites was 0.32±0.27 mm, while at cpTi implant sites MBL was 0.35±0.24 mm (p> 0.05). Both TiZr and cpTi NDIs presented 100% implant survival and success rates, with no significant differences in the clinical parameters studied (p> 0.05). In conclusion, TiZr and cpTi NDIs presented similar outcomes after one year in function in the molar region of the mandible. The results suggest that TiZr and cpTi NDIs may be equally used to support single crowns in the posterior area of the mouth. However, further studies with longer follow-up periods are necessary to confirm these findings...