Zirconia Implants: A Brief Review and Surface Analysis of a Lost Implant

Zirconia implants have emerged as a valuable alternative for clinical scenarios where aesthetic demands are high, as well as in cases of hypersensitivity to titanium or for patients who refuse metallic objects in their bodies due to personal reasons. However, these implants have undergone various changes in geometry, manufacturing techniques, and surface modifications since the introduction of the first zirconia implants. The present study aims to review the current evidence on zirconia implants, considering the changes they have undergone in recent years. Additionally, it aims to analyze the three-dimensional surface characteristics of a failed zirconia implant using scanning electron microscopy and elemental analysis with energy-dispersive X-ray spectrometry (EDX). A zirconia implant lost three weeks after placement was immediately assessed using VP-SEM equipment and chemically analyzed by EDX using a 410-M detector connected to the microscope. Sparse material depositions were found on all parts of the implant, with a notable concentration in the thread grooves. The elements identified in the sample included zirconium, oxygen, carbon, calcium, and phosphorus. This report demonstrates that the surface of zirconia implants can accumulate elements early in the process of bone matrix neoformation, which is consistent with the initial stage of osseointegration.