Success Rates of Ceramic Implants
Zirconia Implants have been FDA approved in the USA since 2008 and CE-approved in Europe since 2001. However, the history of ceramic implants starts much earlier, as early as 1960, with Dr. Sammy Sandhause. Most research in dental implantology reflects studies that go back 10 years on average, with a large body of clinical peer-reviewed research available about the success rates of zirconia dental implants. In summary, both long-standing titanium metal and zirconia implants have approximately a 96% survivability rate at 10-12-year point history research studies (This is a generalized summary and opinion based on multiple research studies)
- Zirconia Implants Success Rates & Complications
- Both titanium metal and zirconia have 96% survivability rates at 10-12-year point history research studies (This is a generalized summary and opinion based on multiple research studies)
- Zirconia Implants showed a 100% survivability after 10 years in a study published in 2021 Zirconia Implants 10 Year Follow Up (Borgonovo, A. E., Ferrario, S., Maiorana, C., Vavassori, V., Censi, R., & Re, D. (2021). A Clinical and Radiographic Evaluation of Zirconia Dental Implants: 10-Year Follow-Up. International Journal of dentistry, 2021, 7534607. https://doi.org/10.1155/2021/7534607)
- One Piece Implants have 94.7% success after 8 years post immediate placement and 89.5% success with delayed Implant Placement, according to a study published in 2023. The survivability of 1 piece implants after 8 years was 100% in the same study. (Kiechle, S., Liebermann, A., Mast, G., Heitzer, M., Möhlhenrich, S. C., Hölzle, F., Kniha, H., & Kniha, K. (2023). Evaluation of one-piece zirconia dental implants: An 8-year follow-up study. Clinical oral investigations, 10.1007/s00784-023-04935-1. Advance online publication. https://doi.org/10.1007/s00784-023-04935-1)
- Immediately Loaded 1 Piece Implants have cumulative survival rates of 96.9% after 1 year and 96.8% at five years (evaluated in cohorts between 4.3 and 6 years after placement). Grassi, F. R., Capogreco, M., Consonni, D., Bilardi, G., Buti, J., & Kalemaj, Z. (2015). Immediate occlusal loading of one-piece zirconia implants: five-year radiographic and clinical evaluation. The International journal of oral & maxillofacial implants, 30(3), 671–680. https://doi.org/10.11607/jomi.3831
- A 2018 meta-analysis study spanning over 1700 zirconia implants across 1000 patients and over 7 years concluded an average 95% survivability rate.
- 1349 studies were selected. In total, 1704 implants from 1002 patients were evaluated with the placement of both 1 and 2-piece zirconia implants with follow-up between 1 and 7 years. The mean survival rate was 95% (95% CI 91-97%). Haro Adánez, M., Nishihara, H., & Att, W. (2018). A systematic review and meta-analysis on the clinical outcome of zirconia implant-restoration complex. Journal of prosthodontic research, 62(4), 397–406. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jpor.2018.04.007
- “Retrospectively analyzed, the long-term success rate of two-piece ceramic implants has been around 97% overall, with a very low incidence (approximately 8%) of peri-implantitis”, Dr. Jacobi-Gresser points out. An interview with Dr. Elisabeth Jacobi-Gresser, Germany (pg. 34-36) Vol. 6 • Issue 2/2022 | Ceramic Implants: International Magazine of Ceramic Implant Technology
How much do zirconia dental implants cost?
- Costs of Zirconia Dental Implants vs Titanium Implants
- Zirconia Implants are approximately 5-20% more expensive than titanium implants (given potential health benefits, and for any patient who believes they are sensitive to metals or may have autoimmune issues, it is worth the investment over titanium implants.
- Typical single titanium implants* range in price from $2,500 to $4,500 per implant, with another $250 to $1,500 for custom titanium abutments and another $1000-$2500 for a titanium implant-supported crown. All in all, titanium implants can cost anywhere from $3,500 to $6,500 per tooth with the implant, abutment, and final crown.
- Zirconia dental implants typically cost $3,500 to $5,000 per implant, with another $500-$2,000 for the abutment and another $1000-$2500 for the zirconia implant-supported crown. Zirconia dental implants can cost anywhere from $4,500 to $7,500 per tooth with the implant, abutment, and final crown.
- Full-mouth All-on-4 or All-on-6 Titanium Implant cases are typically $35,000 to $45,000 per arch, while full-mouth All-on-X Zirconia Implant cases are typically $45,000-$55,000 per arch depending on esthetics, surgical complexity, and sedation requirements.
- More experienced dentists who practice exclusively in the zirconia implant specialist and deliver high-end esthetics will typically charge at the higher end of the spectrum for both placements for individual ceramic implants, restoration of implants, and full-arch implants.
- Does geography make a difference in ceramic implant costs?
- Prices typically tend to be higher based on experience and how many patients the dentist has treated and how zirconia implants and full arch cases the dentist has performed. Due to population density, costs on the East Coast and West Coast tend to be higher than in less populated areas of the country.