Journal of Oral Implantology October 2014 - (Page 581)

CLINICAL Effects of a New Implant Abutment Design on PeriImplant Soft Tissues Hua-Hong Chien, DDS, PhD1* Robert L. Schroering, DMD2 Hari S. Prasad, BS, MS, MDT3 Dimitris N. Tatakis, DDS, PhD1 The purpose of this study was to assess the effects of a modified implant abutment design on peri-implant soft and hard tissues in dogs. Three months after extraction of mandibular premolar teeth, 3 dental implants were placed in each side of the jaw using a 1-stage approach. Implants on one side of the mandible received standard abutments (control), and implants on the contralateral side received modified, patented, grooved abutments (test). Two months after implant placement, animals were euthanized and specimens were prepared for histologic and histomorphometric assessment. The linear distance (in micrometers) was measured from the implant shoulder (IS) to the following landmarks: gingival margin (GM; distance IS-GM), most apical position of the junctional epithelium (JE; distance IS-JE), and bone crest (BC; distance IS-BC). Percent of bone-to-implant contact was also measured. Histologic assessment revealed that all implants were osseointegrated and that interimplant gingival fibers between test abutments appeared to be more numerous and organized than control abutments. The IS-GM and IS-JE distances in test implants were greater than the corresponding distances in control implants (P ¼ .024 and P ¼ .015, respectively), whereas crestal bone loss (IS-BC) was greater for control implants than test implants (P ¼ .037). There were no differences between control and test implants in bone-to-implant contact (P ¼ .69), which averaged close to 50%. These results suggest that the modified groove design incorporated in standard abutments confers both soft and hard tissue benefits. Key Words: nonsubmerged healing, healing abutment, crestal bone, peri-implant soft tissues, light microscopy INTRODUCTION O sseointegrated implants have become a viable, if not routine, treatment option for completely and partially edentulous patients. Since the classic studies of Branemark et al,1 implant treatment has shown good success and prognosis when used within the defined treatment parameters. Continual improvements in surface properties and material composition have advanced 1 Division of Periodontology, College of Dentistry, The Ohio State University, Columbus, Ohio. 2 Private Practice, Chandigarh, India. 3 Hard Tissue Research Laboratory, University of Minnesota School of Dentistry, Minneapolis, Minn. * Corresponding author, e-mail: chien.60@osu.edu DOI: 10.1563/AAID-JOI-D-12-00313 osseointegration to an even higher success level. In contrast to the more than 40 years of research and innovation focusing on bone-to-implant contact (BIC), the emphasis on the importance of the periimplant soft tissues and their attachment to the dental implant or implant abutment is much more recent.2 The key element in the success of dental implants is maintenance of the integration between intraoral tissues and the implant.3 Studies have shown that breakdown of the tissue/implant interface initiates in the crestal region of otherwise successfully integrated implants.4 Among the many hypotheses that have been postulated as reasons for these early crestal bony changes, the establishment of an implant ''biologic width'' is one that implicates the peri-implant soft tissues.5,6 The structure of the soft tissues surrounding Journal of Oral Implantology 581

Table of Contents for the Digital Edition of Journal of Oral Implantology October 2014

New AAIP Affiliates Increase JOI Readership
Letter to the Editor
Bone Response From a Dynamic Stimulus on a One-Piece and Multi-Piece Implant Abutment and Crown by Finite Element Analysis
Effect of Platelet-Rich Plasma on the Healing of Mandibular Defects Treated With Fresh Frozen Bone Allograft: A Radiographic Study in Dogs
Efficacy of Growth Factor in Promoting Early Osseointegration
Assessment of Candida Species Colonization and Denture-Related Stomatitis in Bar- and Locator-Retained Overdentures
A Simple Solution for Vector Control in Vertical Alveolar Distraction Osteogenesis
Maxillary Ridge Augmentation With Custom-Made CAD/CAM Scaffolds. A 1-Year Prospective Study on 10 Patients
A Retrospective 3- to 5-Year Study of the Reconstruction of Oral Function Using Implant- Supported Prostheses in Patients With Hypohidrotic Ectodermal Dysplasia
Effects of a New Implant Abutment Design on Peri-Implant Soft Tissues
Repair Technique for Fractured Implant-Supported Metal-Ceramic Restorations: A Clinical Report
Full-Mouth Rehabilitation for a Patient With Dentinogenesis Imperfecta: A Clinical Report
New Method to Increase Inter-alveolar Height With Preservation of Crestal Cortical Bone for Implant Treatment
Implant Placement With a Guided Surgery System Based on Stress Analyses Utilizing the Bone Density: A Clinical Case Report
A Novel Technique for Osteotome Internal Sinus Lifts With Simultaneous Placement of Tapered Implants to Improve Primary Stability
Maxillary Sinus Augmentation and Implant Placement Using Venous Blood Without Graft Material: A Case Letter
Modification of Maxillary Sinus Floor With Orthodontic Treatment and Implant Therapy: A Case Letter
A Surgical Guide for Optimal Placement and Immediate Restoration of Implant
Osseointegrated Dental Implants in Growing Children: A Literature Review

Journal of Oral Implantology October 2014