Ceramic Coating of Dental Implants: Recent Advancements and Challenges

ABSTRACT The introduction of ceramic coatings has significantly advanced dental implantology, establishing new standards for biocompatibility, osseointegration, and ongoing clinical success. Ceramic‐based coatings, including materials such as hydroxyapatite, zirconia, titania, and bioactive glass, are designed to address persistent challenges in implant dentistry, such as poor bone integration, peri‐implantitis, and material degradation. The use of nanostructured ceramics and composite coatings has enhanced cellular responses and osseointegration. Various coating methods have been developed to enhance implant functionality, including plasma spraying, sol–gel, electrochemical and electrophoretic deposition, and chemical and physical vapor deposition. Each technique provides benefits related to coating adhesion, thickness control, surface morphology, and functionalization, tailored to specific clinical and material requirements. Despite progress, important challenges remain, such as understanding the mechanisms of protein adsorption and cellular signaling at the interface, among other complexities. This review offers a comprehensive overview of the current landscape, new materials, and innovative strategies in ceramic, glass, and composite coatings for dental implants. It also highlights critical research gaps, potential solutions to existing challenges, and future obstacles in the development of ceramic‐coated dental implants.