title: Clinical Outcome of Inter-Proximal Papilla between a Tooth and a Single Implant Treated with CAD/CAM Abutments: a Cross-Sectional Study.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  The aim of this study was to assess the clinical outcomes achieved with Computer-Assisted Design/Computer-Assisted Manufacturing implant abutments in the anterior maxilla.
  
  
  METHODS
  Nineteen patients with a mean age of 41 (range form 26 to 63) years, treated with 21 single tooth implants and 21 Computer-Assisted Design/Computer-Assisted Manufacturing (CAD/CAM) abutments in the anterior maxillary region were included in this study. The patients followed 4 criteria of inclusion: (1) had a single-tooth implant in the anterior maxilla, (2) had a CAD/CAM abutment, (3) had a contralateral natural tooth, (4) the implant was restored and in function for at least 6 months up to 2 years. Cases without contact point were excluded. Presence/absence of the interproximal papilla, inter tooth-implant distance (ITD) and distance from the base of the contact point to dental crest bone of adjacent tooth (CPB) were accessed.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Forty interproximal spaces were evaluated, with an average mesial CPB of 5.65 (SD 1.65) mm and distal CPB of 4.65 (SD 1.98) mm. An average mesial ITD of 2.49 (SD 0.69) mm and an average distal ITD of 1.89 (SD 0.63) mm were achieved. Papilla was present in all the interproximal spaces accessed.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The restoration of dental implants using CAD/CAM abutments is a predictable treatment with improved aesthetic results. These type of abutments seem to help maintaining a regular papillary filling although the variations of the implant positioning or the restoration teeth relation.
authors.affiliation: Department of Oral Surgery and Implant Dentistry, Portuguese Catholic University Viseu Portugal.
authors.forename: Tiago
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Borges
authors.affiliation: Bragança Private Medical Centre Bragança Portugal.
authors.forename: Tiago
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Lima
authors.affiliation: Bragança Private Medical Centre Bragança Portugal.
authors.forename: Agata
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Carvalho
authors.affiliation: Department of Oral Surgery and Implant Dentistry, Portuguese Catholic University Viseu Portugal.
authors.forename: Vasco
authors.initials: V
authors.lastname: Carvalho
keywords: Computer-Assisted Design; Computer-Assisted Manufacturing; dental abutments; dental esthetics.; dental implants; outcomes assessment