Restorations with Zirconia Fixed Bridges over One-Piece Zirconia Implants and PEEK Telescopic Crowns: A Mini-Review and Case Report
Ceramic dental implants, particularly one-piece zirconia, offer a biocompatible and aesthetic alternative to titanium, with high strength and improved oral hygiene. By eliminating the implant–abutment micro-gap, they reduce bacterial accumulation because of their low plaque affinity and enhance stability. However, challenges remain, including alignment precision, limited retrievability, and sensitivity to mechanical stress. Misalignment can affect occlusal and functional outcomes, and zirconia’s rigidity complicates crown removal and modification. This case report explores the use of PEEK (polyether ether ketone) primary telescopic crowns to overcome these limitations, improving force distribution, enabling minor adjustments, and enhancing prosthetic retrievability in full-mouth zirconia restorations. A 62-year-old male patient seeking a fixed solution to replace removable dentures received 16 one-piece zirconia implants (eight per jaw). PEEK telescopic crowns were used over implant abutment copings, finalized with aesthetic zirconia bridges. The report details surgical and prosthetic procedures, along with a brief literature review on zirconia implants and PEEK applications. PEEK integration in telescopic prosthetic designs marks a notable advancement in prosthodontics. Its shock-absorbing, biocompatible, and stress-modulating properties make it valuable for implant-supported and hybrid restorations. As digital workflows advance, PEEK-based telescopic restorations may increasingly replace traditional metal-based solutions, improving long-term clinical outcomes. Further clinical research on a larger sample is needed.
Authors
- Hesham A. Helal (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0001-5430-6791)
- Layla A. Abu-Naba’a (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0001-6103-5539)
- Mahmoud M. Hasasna (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0009-0001-0841-1205)
- Haseeb H. Al Dary
Institutions
- Applied Science Private University (JO)
- Jordan University of Science and Technology (JO)
- An-Najah National University (PS)
Publication Details
- Journal
- Prosthesis
- Published
- 2025-11-10
- DOI
- https://doi.org/10.3390/prosthesis7060145
- Primary Topic
- Dental Implant Techniques and Outcomes
- Type
- article
- Field-Weighted Citation Impact
- 0.00