COMPARATIVE ANALYSIS OF TITANIUM VS. ZIRCONIA IMPLANTS ON OSSEOINTEGRATION AND SOFT TISSUE RESPONSE

Abstrak:

A comparative evaluation of titanium and zirconia dental implants primarily examines their osseointegration capacity and soft-tissue response, both of which are key determinants of long-term implant success. Titanium, introduced in the 1960s, has remained the gold standard due to its outstanding mechanical strength, durability, and excellent biocompatibility, consistently achieving clinical success rates of 95–98%. Its proven ability to form a direct structural and functional connection with bone has established it as the primary material in implantology. Zirconia, however, has emerged as a promising metal-free alternative, especially suitable for patients seeking enhanced aesthetics or those with metal hypersensitivity. Although zirconia demonstrates favorable biocompatibility and superior aesthetics, concerns persist regarding its comparatively lower mechanical resilience.