A literature review on implant abutment and soft tissue response

In the implant prosthetic procedure, the soft tissue reaction was varied with the material and surface treatment of the abutment. It may be the cause of the peri-implantitis, and hence it can affect the long-term prognosis of the implant prosthesis. Titania and zirconia abutment presented superior biocompatibility and stable soft tissue reaction, while gold alloy abutment showed unfavorable reaction sometimes. A soft tissue reaction can be differed by the surface characteristics even in the same material type. Because rougher surface induces a bacterial attachment, the part contacting a soft tissue should have smooth surface. Additional surface treatment can enhance the cellular response without increasing bacterial attachment. Repeated removal and insertion of the abutment and the shape of the abutment may affect the soft tissue reaction, also. Ultrasonic cleaning and argon plasma cleaning are effective way to clean the retained micro-dust on the customized abutment.

Influence of abutment materials on the implant-abutment joint stability in internal conical connection type implant systems

PURPOSE: This study evaluated the influence of abutment materials on the stability of the implant-abutment joint in internal conical connection type implant systems. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Internal conical connection type implants, cement-retained abutments, and tungsten carbide-coated abutment screws were used. The abutments were fabricated with commercially pure grade 3 titanium (group T3), commercially pure grade 4 titanium (group T4), or Ti-6Al-4V (group TA) (n=5, each). In order to assess the amount of settlement after abutment fixation, a 30-Ncm tightening torque was applied, then the change in length before and after tightening the abutment screw was measured, and the preload exerted was recorded. The compressive bending strength was measured under the ISO14801 conditions. In order to determine whether there were significant changes in settlement, preload, and compressive bending strength before and after abutment fixation depending on abutment materials, one-way ANOVA and Tukey's HSD post-hoc test was performed. RESULTS: Group TA exhibited the smallest mean change in the combined length of the implant and abutment before and after fixation, and no difference was observed between groups T3 and T4 (P>.05). Group TA exhibited the highest preload and compressive bending strength values, followed by T4, then T3 (P<.001). CONCLUSION: The abutment material can influence the stability of the interface in internal conical connection type implant systems. The strength of the abutment material was inversely correlated with settlement, and positively correlated with compressive bending strength. Preload was inversely proportional to the frictional coefficient of the abutment material.