Evaluation of zirconia implants in fibula and deep circumflex iliac artery flaps: a prospective 1.5-year follow-up study

Follow-up results of modern zirconia implants inserted in fibula free and deep circumflex iliac artery (DCIA) flaps with fixed dentures are scarce. This study aimed to evaluate crestal bone changes and the survival rate of zirconia implants for up to 1.5 years of prospective follow-up.

Ten patients with six fibula and four DCIA flaps underwent reconstruction in the lower and upper jaws using vascularized composite flaps and were treated with zirconia implants. Peri-implant bone resorption was measured using radiographic images that were taken immediately after implant surgery (T1) and after three (T2), 12 (T3), and 18 months (T4).

Between the day of operation and T3, a significant increase in distance was recorded for the fibula flaps. After occlusal loading (T2) of 41 zirconia implants for up to 1.5 years, no significant bone loss in each flap was observed overall. An overall survival rate of 96.56% was reported.

When comparing both composite flaps, no significant difference in periimplant bone levels was measured between the same timepoints.

For fixed dentures, modern zirconia implants can be used in the DCIA and fibula flaps, however further long-term data is necessary.