IADR Abstract Archives
The Effects of Abutment Materials on Peri-Implant Soft Tissue Integration
Objectives: The peri-implant soft tissue integration remains a critical aspect for the long-term success of dental implant therapy. However, the available data evaluating the mucointegration of the restorative materials used as transmucosal components are very limited. The aim of the present study was to evaluate, in a minipig model, the soft tissue integration of four different materials regularly used transgingivally in implant dentistry, as well as the peri-implant bone remodeling.
Methods: A total of 40 implants were placed in five minipigs in a single stage surgery and two of the following abutment materials were used in each animal: titanium (Ti; control), polymethylmethacrylate (PMMA), zirconia (Zi), and veneering ceramic (VC). After a healing period of 3 months, the samples were collected and subjected to non-decalcified histology. The soft tissue dimensions (sulcus, junctional epithelium, and connective tissue adhesion) were assessed for each abutment and the distance from the implant margin to first bone-to-implant contact (BIC) was measured.
Results: The mean biological width (BW), characterized by the sum of junctional epithelium and connective tissue measurements, was 3.8 mm (SD: 0.6) and no statistically significant difference was found between the four groups (P = 0.41). However, a long junctional epithelium (mean: 3.6 mm) and a very short connective tissue attachment (mean: 0.2 mm) were observed with all abutments. The measured peri-implant bone remodeling was similar in all four groups (P = 0.88).
Conclusions: The present findings showed that the tested abutment materials, in this particular animal model, seem to allow soft tissue adhesion. The BW consisted of a long junctional epithelium, extending close to the bone level, and a rather short portion of connective tissue. These results are in contrast with other findings demonstrating the decisive importance of materials used as a transgingival component and therefore, there is a need to investigate abutment materials mucointegration in a clinical setting.
Methods: A total of 40 implants were placed in five minipigs in a single stage surgery and two of the following abutment materials were used in each animal: titanium (Ti; control), polymethylmethacrylate (PMMA), zirconia (Zi), and veneering ceramic (VC). After a healing period of 3 months, the samples were collected and subjected to non-decalcified histology. The soft tissue dimensions (sulcus, junctional epithelium, and connective tissue adhesion) were assessed for each abutment and the distance from the implant margin to first bone-to-implant contact (BIC) was measured.
Results: The mean biological width (BW), characterized by the sum of junctional epithelium and connective tissue measurements, was 3.8 mm (SD: 0.6) and no statistically significant difference was found between the four groups (P = 0.41). However, a long junctional epithelium (mean: 3.6 mm) and a very short connective tissue attachment (mean: 0.2 mm) were observed with all abutments. The measured peri-implant bone remodeling was similar in all four groups (P = 0.88).
Conclusions: The present findings showed that the tested abutment materials, in this particular animal model, seem to allow soft tissue adhesion. The BW consisted of a long junctional epithelium, extending close to the bone level, and a rather short portion of connective tissue. These results are in contrast with other findings demonstrating the decisive importance of materials used as a transgingival component and therefore, there is a need to investigate abutment materials mucointegration in a clinical setting.
