Contrary to titanium implants, manufacturing imperfections or flaws created during ceramic implant
fabrication and subsequent surface treatment may compromise their strength [78]. Material flaws
usually assume the form of pores or microcracks of a submillimetre scale [79]. An example of a
clinically fractured implant is shown in Figure 3, revealing a fracture originating from a pore entrapped
within the implant body during the manufacturing process. Such cracks when combined with high
bending moments or biomechanical overload can initiate crack propagation and result in early implant
failure [80].