Do healing abutments influence the outcome of implant treatment? A three-year multicenter study.
BACKGROUND
It is not known if healing abutments replaced subsequently with permanent abutments adversely affect the soft tissues and marginal bone levels around dental implants.


OBJECTIVE
This study evaluated the mucosal condition and marginal bone levels 3 years after placement of healing abutments in patients provided with fixed prostheses supported by Brånemark implants.


METHODS
Data were analyzed retrospectively from 117 patients treated at five centers in which 318 healing abutments were placed on maxillary and 112 on mandibular implants. A prospective 3-year appraisal with a specific protocol assessed the response of mucosal cuffs and marginal bone levels surrounding surviving implants.


RESULTS
Exchange of abutments did not affect expected survival rates of implants (94% maxilla, 99% mandible) or produce mean levels of marginal bone loss greater than anticipated for the system. Mean marginal bone levels correlated significantly with the jaw. Most patients achieved good oral hygiene and favorable peri-implant soft tissue health.


CONCLUSIONS
No evidence was found to suggest abutment exchange adversely affects outcome of implant treatment.
Department of Prosthetic Dentistry, King's Dental Institute, King's College School of Medicine and Dentistry, London, United Kingdom.
R
R
Watson
C
C
Marinello
O
O
Kjellman
T
T
Rundcrantz
J
J
Fåhraeus
B
B
Lithner
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D016301:Alveolar Bone Loss / Q000209:etiology; D000044:Dental Abutments; D003758:Dental Implantation, Endosseous; D015921:Dental Implants; D019250:Dental Implants, Single-Tooth; D019094:Dental Prosthesis, Implant-Supported; D003824:Denture, Complete; D003830:Denture, Partial, Fixed; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008334:Mandible / Q000473:pathology / Q000601:surgery; D008437:Maxilla / Q000473:pathology / Q000601:surgery; D008875:Middle Aged; D009910:Oral Hygiene; D010510:Periodontal Diseases / Q000209:etiology; D011446:Prospective Studies; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D016896:Treatment Outcome; D014945:Wound Healing
D015921:Dental Implants