Comparative Soft and Hard Tissue Responses to Titanium and Polymer Healing Abutments
Limited information exists regarding soft tissue and hard tissue responses to abutments with different material composition. The aim of this study is to evaluate soft and hard tissue responses to titanium and polymer healing abutments over a 3-month period. Sixteen patients were included in this prospective trial. Implants were provisionalized with either titanium or polymer healing abutments. Changes of marginal bone level and soft tissue dimensions were recorded at implant installation and at 3 months.
Occlusal view of implants with poly(aryl-ether-ether-ketone) abutments following installation (a) and at 3 months (b), and of an implant with a titanium abutment following installation (c) and at 3 months (d).
Radiographs of implants with poly(aryl-ether-ether-ketone) abutments following installation (a) and at 3 months (b), and of an implant with a titanium abutment following installation (c) and at 3 months (d).
Distribution of diameter and length (a) and position (b) of implants placed in the 2 groups.
Cumulative percent of marginal bone level changes at mesial and distal sites of implants in the control (a) and test (b) groups. Every dot represents an implant surface.
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