Influence of different forms and materials (zirconia or titanium) of abutments in peri-implant soft-tissue healing using matrix metalloproteinase-8: A randomized pilot study.
BACKGROUND
It is unclear how pathogenic bacteria adhere to different implant materials and whether biomarker matrix metalloproteinase-8 (MMP-8) level provides a reliable method of evaluating the connective tissue status of peri-implant tissues.


OBJECTIVE
The purpose of this pilot clinical study was to evaluate peri-implant connective tissue response by assessing the MMP-8 levels in peri-implant crevicular fluid around titanium and zirconia abutments.


METHODS
The study was designed as a prospective, within-subject comparison with left-right randomization low. Twelve participants with partial edentulism were selected according to inclusion and exclusion criteria. Peri-implant sulcal fluid sampling and pocket probing depths were assessed at 1, 3, and 12 months after placing the abutments. The MMP-8 protein level of the peri-implant sulcal fluid was determined by MMP-8-specific sandwich enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay system. The independent t test or Wilcoxon test was used to compare MMP-8 levels and probing depth assessment between the zirconia and titanium groups at different time points (1, 3, and 12 months). Repeated measures ANOVA was used for within-group comparison of the MMP-8 levels at 3 time points (α=.05).


RESULTS
At 1 and 3 months, the titanium abutments showed significantly higher MMP-8 levels and probing depths than the zirconia abutments (P<.05), but no significant differences were found at 12 months for either variable (P>.05).


CONCLUSIONS
This study suggests the presence of more remodeling and/or inflammatory phenomena around titanium implant abutments than around zirconia abutments of a different design during the early stages but not at 1 year.
Senior Resident, Department of Prosthodontics, Center for Dental Education and Research, All India Institute of Medical Sciences New Delhi, New Delhi, India.
Yogesh
Y
Kumar
Professor, Department of Prosthodontics, Center for Dental Education and Research, All India Institute of Medical Sciences New Delhi, New Delhi, India. Electronic address: jainveena1@gmail.com.
Veena
V
Jain
Professor, Department of Biochemistry, All India Institute of Medical Sciences New Delhi, New Delhi, India.
Shyam Singh
SS
Chauhan
Lecturer, Dr D. Y. Patil Dental College and Hospital Pimpri Pune, Maharashtra, India.
Vinayak
V
Bharate
Assistant Professor, Department of Prosthodontics, Center for Dental Education and Research, All India Institute of Medical Sciences New Delhi, New Delhi, India.
Dheeraj
D
Koli
Doctoral student, Department of Biochemistry, All India Institute of Medical Sciences New Delhi, New Delhi, India.
Manish
M
Kumar
D000328:Adult; D000044:Dental Abutments; D003758:Dental Implantation, Endosseous; D003764:Dental Materials; D005881:Gingiva; D005883:Gingival Crevicular Fluid / Q000737:chemistry*; D006801:Humans; D008422:Materials Testing; D020784:Matrix Metalloproteinase 8 / Q000032:analysis*; D008875:Middle Aged; D010865:Pilot Projects; D011446:Prospective Studies; D016037:Single-Blind Method; D014025:Titanium; D055815:Young Adult; D015040:Zirconium
D003764:Dental Materials; D015040:Zirconium; D014025:Titanium; C488762:MMP8 protein, human; D020784:Matrix Metalloproteinase 8; C028541:zirconium oxide