Principles for Evaluating the Efficacy and Safety of Ceramic Dental Implants in Japan

Recent progress in materials chemistry has resulted in the development of several ceramic materials that are now being used in dental implants. The advantages of ceramic materials over conventional metallic materials are that they do not induce allergic reactions in individuals with metal allergies, they do not interfere with magnetic resonance imaging, and they provide improved esthetics. In addition, some ceramic materials are tougher than metallic materials and less brittle. However, despite these advantages, few ceramic dental implant materials are currently approved for use in Japan. In FY2022, the Ministry of Health, Labour and Welfare of Japan commissioned a project called the "Project for the Development of a Guideline for the Evaluation of Ceramic Dental Implants," the goal of which was to consider how best to facilitate swift clinical development and approval of emerging ceramic dental implant materials. At a meeting of experts from professional societies, related industry organizations, and government agencies, the issues related to evaluation of the efficacy and safety of ceramic implant were discussed. Here, we summarize the outcomes of that meeting as a set of principles for the premarketing evaluation of ceramic dental implant materials in Japan.