Clinical effectiveness of Zirconia versus titanium dental implants in anterior region: an overview of systematic reviews.

BACKGROUND

Nowadays dental implants are commonly used and to fulfil esthetic demands, zirconia has been suggested as an implant material as an alternative to titanium. Many researchers and systematic reviews are documented on it, but the results have been often inconsistent. This overview of systematic reviews aimed to report on the factors that influence the clinical effectiveness of zirconia (Zi) versus titanium (Ti) dental implants in anterior region.

METHODS

This overview of systematic reviews (Registration Number CRD42023396206) is in accordance with the Transparent Reporting of Systematic Reviews and Meta-analyses. PubMed, Cochrane, Scopus, Embase and Google Scholar databases were sourced for systematic review and meta-analyses. Joanna Briggs Institute (JBI) criteria and Measurement Tool to Assess systematic Reviews" (AMSTAR-2), evaluated the quality. The PICO-focused question of this overview of systematic reviews was "What are the various factors influencing the clinical performance of Zi versus Ti implants in the anterior area?", Evaluations were assessed by two assessors. In case there was any uncertainty or dispute among the reviewers, the work was included for further screening. Using Cohen's kappa, the inter-reviewer reliability was evaluated.

RESULTS

Six reviews were chosen from 57 suitable reviews for this data analysis. Although the survival and effectiveness rates backed titanium implants, there was no conclusive proof of marginal bone loss. Zirconium implants performed better in terms of aesthetics.

CONCLUSION

Clinical performance of zirconia could be considered at par with titanium implants in the anterior area. Titanium has exhibited greater mechanical performance but no significant difference between two recorded. In future, studies with improved design are needed to identify biological and technical factors that affect implant's efficacy.

NOVELTY AND RELEVANCE

This is the first overview of systematic reviews focusing specifically on the anterior region, evaluates both aesthetic and biomechanical performance of Zi and Ti Implants, offers detailed insight into material-specific advantages and limitations. In the present clinical scenario it addresses a critical gap by comparing the performance of Zi and Ti implants and evaluates patient-centred priorities, particularly in the highly visible anterior region.