The main options
Implant crowns are made from four main material groups.1235
- Porcelain fused to metal (metal-ceramic, PFM). Porcelain layered over a metal frame.1
- Veneered zirconia (zirconia-ceramic). Porcelain layered over a zirconia frame.1
- Monolithic zirconia. A single piece of zirconia with no porcelain layer.2
- Lithium disilicate. A reinforced glass ceramic.5
Survival at 5 years
A 2018 systematic review of 35 studies on implant-supported single crowns reported the following.1
| Crown type | 5-year survival |
|---|---|
| Metal-ceramic | 98.3 percent |
| Zirconia-ceramic | 97.6 percent |
Porcelain chipping at 5 years was similar for both groups: 2.9 percent for metal-ceramic and 2.8 percent for zirconia-ceramic.1 Zirconia-ceramic crowns failed from material fracture more often (2.1 percent vs 0.2 percent) and had fewer aesthetic complications.1 The ITI Group 2 consensus (2018) found the two crown types similar in clinical performance, each with its own complications.4
Monolithic zirconia
A 2024 meta-analysis of randomized trials compared posterior monolithic zirconia and metal-ceramic implant crowns.2 Chipping was 0 percent for monolithic zirconia and 7.61 percent for metal-ceramic over 1 year.2 Bone loss, gum bleeding and implant failure were similar.2 Restoration survival was 97.5 percent for monolithic zirconia and 99.1 percent for metal-ceramic in the narrative review.2
Lithium disilicate
A 2025 overview of 28 systematic reviews, covering about 35,000 crowns on teeth and implants, reported 95 to 100 percent short- and medium-term survival for lithium disilicate crowns.3 The authors noted limited data beyond 5 years and that most studies examined a single product.3
Monolithic ceramics compared
A 2024 meta-analysis of 1,116 monolithic ceramic implant crowns found a combined failure and complication rate of 2 percent.6 Monolithic zirconia and lithium disilicate crowns did not differ.6 The most common problems were screw loosening, debonding and minor chipping, all considered repairable.6
General information about dental implants. Treatment decisions are made with a licensed dentist.
Sources
- Pjetursson BE et al. Survival and complication rates of zirconia-ceramic and metal-ceramic single crowns. Clin Oral Implants Res 2018. pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov
- Tajti P et al. Monolithic zirconia vs metal-ceramic implant single crowns in the posterior region. J Prosthet Dent 2024. pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov
- Laumbacher H et al. Lithium (di)silicate single crowns: overview of systematic reviews. J Dent 2025. pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov
- Morton D et al. Group 2 ITI Consensus Report: Prosthodontics and implant dentistry. Clin Oral Implants Res 2018. pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov
- Sailer I et al. All-ceramic or metal-ceramic tooth-supported single crowns: systematic review. Dent Mater 2015. pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov
- Lemos CAA et al. Monolithic ceramic implant-supported single crowns and fixed partial dentures. J Prosthet Dent 2024. pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov
