The Zirconia Implant: A Revolution in Modern Implantology

A new era for implantology

At the Best of Implantology 2025 congress, Dr Tolomeo Boioli, Vice President of EACim (European Academy of Ceramic Implantology), presented a remarkable lecture on zirconia implants, highlighting their growing importance—especially in anterior aesthetic zones, where the balance between function, biology, and beauty is crucial.

With over 25 years of clinical experience, Dr Boioli has witnessed the limitations of conventional titanium implants, such as crestal bone loss or inflammatory reactions. Although relatively rare, these long-term complications raise a fundamental question: how can we ensure greater biological stability and treatment longevity?

Why Zirconia?

Since their introduction in 2004, monobloc zirconia implants have represented a major technological shift in implantology. Unlike titanium, zirconia is a mineral-based ceramic that offers both strength and natural aesthetics. Dr Boioli emphasizes five key criteria that make zirconia an increasingly attractive alternative for practitioners:

  • Mechanical reliability suited for long-term oral rehabilitation.
  • Excellent biocompatibility with both hard and soft tissues.
  • Sustainable aesthetics, maintaining tissue harmony over time.
  • Lower peri-implantitis risk, thanks to reduced bacterial adhesion.
  • Comparable survival rates to modern titanium implants.

Beyond its natural white color and absence of metal ions, zirconia demonstrates superior tissue integration, making it ideal for biological and aesthetic dentistry.

Clinical Insight: A Case Study

During his lecture, Dr Boioli presented a clinical case illustrating these benefits:
a 40-year-old patient, free from medical issues, presented with internal resorption of tooth 21. The choice of a zirconia implant allowed optimal soft-tissue preservation and a seamless aesthetic result, demonstrating how ceramic implants can meet both functional and biological expectations.

Toward a New Standard in Implantology

As Dr Boioli concluded, zirconia implants are not intended to replace titanium in all indications but rather to complement it—offering clinicians a metal-free, biocompatible, and sustainable solution aligned with the evolution of modern dentistry.

By integrating scientific evidence, clinical experience, and a biological mindset, the future of implantology is clearly moving toward ceramic innovation and regenerative principles.

About the speaker

Dr Tolomeo Boioli, DDS – Vice President of EACim and a specialist in aesthetic and biological implantology. With decades of experience in oral rehabilitation, he actively promotes metal-free, tissue-friendly approaches through international lectures and advanced training programs.

In summary:

Zirconia implants embody the next step in implantology — combining strength, biocompatibility, and aesthetics to achieve long-lasting, natural results for both patients and practitioners.

Source : https://www.dentalespace.com/praticien/formationcontinue/limplant-zircone-revolution-implantologie/