Single crowns on narrow versus standard implants for missing molar teeth

Single Implant Crowns Supported by Narrow or Standard Diameter Implants in Molar Sites: a Randomized Controlled Trial

This trial will test whether narrow titanium‑zirconium implants work as well as standard implants to replace a single missing molar in adults with limited horizontal bone width.

Quick facts

• Phase: Not applicable
• Study type: Interventional
• Enrollment: 40 (estimated)
• Ages: 18 Years and up
• Sex: All
• Sponsor: Mohammed Bin Rashid University of Medicine and Health Sciences (Academic / other)
• Drugs / interventions: chemotherapy
• Locations: 1 site (Dubai)
• Trial ID: NCT07073196 on ClinicalTrials.gov

What this trial studies

Adults who need a single molar replaced in a healed site with limited bucco‑lingual bone width will receive either a narrow‑diameter TiZr implant (≤3.5 mm) or a standard‑diameter implant to support a single crown. The study will track implant survival, peri‑implant tissue health, and prosthetic complications over follow‑up visits. Investigators will also record prosthetic parameters such as emergence angle and platform width and quantify occlusal/bite forces to explore their relationship with outcomes. The aim is to determine whether narrow TiZr implants can provide comparable clinical and technical performance in high‑load posterior sites without the need for bone augmentation.

Who should consider this trial

Good fit: Adults (≥18 years) with a single missing molar in a fully healed site (≥6 months), limited horizontal bone width (≤6 mm) and at least 8 mm height, good oral hygiene, intact adjacent and opposing teeth, and willingness to attend follow‑up visits are ideal candidates.

Not a fit: Patients with active or generalized periodontitis, bone metabolic disease or medications affecting bone, smokers, severe bruxism, recent malignancy or radiotherapy, pregnancy or lactation, or insufficient bone height are unlikely to benefit or be eligible.

Why it matters

Potential benefit: If successful, this approach could let some patients get a single molar replaced with a less invasive narrow TiZr implant and avoid bone grafting while maintaining good implant longevity.

How similar studies have performed: Previous clinical reports have shown favorable survival for narrow TiZr implants in various indications, but evidence is limited and inconsistent specifically for exclusive use under single crowns in high‑load molar sites.

Eligibility criteria

Inclusion Criteria:

* Aged ≥ 18 years.
* Require replacement of single missing molar tooth with dental implant in fully healed sites.
* Controlled oral hygiene (full-mouth plaque and bleeding scores ≤ 25% at baseline).
* Intact adjacent teeth and opposing dentition.
* Fully healed sites (≥ 6 months) with limited bone availability in the horizontal bucco-lingual dimension (residual bone width of ≤ 6 mm) and minimal height of 8 mm.
* Good compliance and commitment to attend follow-up review appointments.
* Willing to provide informed consent.

Exclusion Criteria:

* Localized/generalized periodontitis.
* Any medical condition that may contraindicate implant treatment (Bornstein et al., 2009).
* Bone metabolic disease and/or taking medications that affect bone metabolism.
* Long term use of non-steroidal anti-inflammatory medications.
* History of malignancy, radiotherapy or chemotherapy.
* Pregnant or lactating women.
* Smokers.
* Severe bruxism or parafunctional habits.
* Large occlusal discrepancies.

Where this trial is running

Dubai

• Mbru — Dubai, United Arab Emirates (Recruiting)

Study contacts

• Study coordinator: Momen A Atieh, BDS, MSc, DClinDent, PhD, FPFA

Conditions Dental Implants; Dental implants