The mucosal barrier following abutment dis/reconnection

Abstract In the present experiment, the effect on the marginal peri-implant tissues following repeated abutment removal and subsequent reconnection was studied. 5 beagle dogs were used. The mandibular premolars were extracted and 2 fixtures of the Branemark System® were installed. 1 in each mandibular quadrant. 3 months later, abutment connection was performed. A 6-month period of plaque control was initiated. Once a month during the plaque control period, the abutment of the right side (test) in each dog was disconnected, cleaned and reconnected to the fixture. Thus, each test abutment was removed and reconnected altogether 5X during this period. The contralateral abutment remained undisturbed for 6 months and served as control. 1 month after the last reconnection, the animals were sacrificed and tissue samples, comprising the implant and the surrounding soft and hard periimplant tissues, were obtained, decalcified, embedded in Epon and sectioned. The following landmarks were identified and used for linear measurements: PM (the marginal portion of the periimplant mucosa). aJE (the level of the apical termination of the junctional epithelium). B (the marginal level of bone to implant contact), A/F (the abutment/fixture border). The findings indicate that the dis- and subsequent reconnections of the abutment component of the implant compromised the mucosal barrier and resulted in a more “apically” positioned zone of connective tissue. The additional marginal bone resorption observed at the test sites following abutment manipulation may be the result of tissue reactions initiated to establish a proper “biological width” of the mucosal-implant barrier.     

Osseintegration following treatment of peri-implantitis and replacement of implant components. An experimental study in the dog

AIM: The aim of the present experiment was to study if the quality of the titanium surface is a decisive factor for osseointegration and re-osseointegration. MATERIAL AND METHODS: 2 Labrador dogs were used. The mandibular 1st molars and all premolars were removed bilaterally. 3 months later, 1 standard fixture and 3, 2-part "test fixtures" were installed in each side of the mandible. The text fixtures consisted of 1 6-mm long apical and 1 4-mm long coronal part connected with an internal screw. After 4 months, abutment connection was performed. 5 months later, a period of experimental peri-implantitis was initiated during which about 50% of the supporting bone tissue was lost. The dogs were later subjected to a treatment that included (i) systemic administration of antibiotics and (ii) surgical debridement of all implant sites. The abutments and the coronal parts of the text fixtures were removed. All parts of the exposed portion of the standard fixtures, the connecting screw and the apical part of the test fixtures were meticulously cleaned by mechanical means. A pristine, coronal fixture part was via the connecting screw attached to the apical fixture part of each text fixture. All fixtures were submerged. 2 weeks later, a fluorochrome was injected intravenously. After 4 months, biopsies of the implant sites were dissected and prepared for ground sectioning and analysis. RESULTS: It was demonstrated that re-osseointegration failed to occur to implant surfaces (standard) exposed to bacterial contamination, but did consistently occur at sites where a pristine implant component was placed in the bone defect following surgical debridement. CONCLUSION: The above findings seem to imply that the quality of the titanium surface is of decisive importance for both osseointegration and re-osseointegration.     

The peri‐implant hard and soft tissues at different implant systems. A comparative study in the dog.

The aim of the present experiment was to study the marginal peri-implant tissues at intentionally non-submerged (1-stage implants) and initially submerged and subsequently exposed implants (2-stage implants). 5 beagle dogs, about 1-year-old, were used. 3 months after the extraction of the mandibular premolars, fixtures of the Astra Tech Implants Dental System®, the Brånemark System® and the Bonefit®-ITI System were installed. In each mandibular quadrant, 1 fixture of each implant system was installed in a randomised order. The installation procedure followed the recommendations given in the manuals for each system. Thus, following installation, the bone crest coincided with the fixture margin of the Astra Tech Implants Dental System® and the Brånemark System®, whereas the border between the plasma sprayed and the machined surface of the Bonefit®-ITI implant system was positioned at the level of the bone crest. Following a healing period of 3 months, abutment connection was carried out in the 2-stage systems (the Astra Tech Implants Dental System® and the Brånemark system®). A 6-month period of plaque control was initiated. The animals were sacrificed and biopsies representing each implant region dissected. The tissue samples were prepared for light microscopy and exposed to histometric and morphometric measurements. The mucosal barrier which formed to the titanium surface following 1-stage and 2-stage implant installations comprised an epithelial and a connective tissue component, which for the 3 systems studied, had similar dimensions and composition. The amount of lamellar bone contained in the peri-implant region close to the fixture part of the 3-implant systems was almost identical. It is suggested that correctly performed implant installation may ensure proper conditions for both soft and hard tissue healing, and that the geometry of the titanium implant seems to be of limited importance.     

Clinical and radiographical features of submerged and nonsubmerged titanium implants

A clinical and radiographical study was performed to evaluate whether initial submergence of titanium fixtures is an obligate treatment measure for the establishment of proper bone anchorage when implants a.m. Brdnemark are used. The sample was comprised of 11 subjects with edentulous mandibles. A split-mouth design was employed; in the right mandibular quadrant a traditional 2-step procedure for fixture installation and abutment connection was utilized, while in the left quadrant a l-step procedure was carried out, i.e., fixtures were placed and abutments were connected in one and the same session. Three to 4 months after fixture installation, fixed bridgeworks were fabricated and rigidly connected to the implants. Clinical examinations (including probing pocket depth, bleeding on probing and implant stability test) were performed after 12 and 18 months. Radiographs were taken following insertion of the bridges and at the 12- and 18-month re-examinations. The probing pocket depth, the bleeding on probing, the implant stability and the radiographic deter-minations were similar for the 2 groups of treatment alternatives. This indicates that titanium fixtures a.m. Brinemark can be properly anchored (osseointegrated) in mandibular bone and successfully used for bridge retention also when a l-step procedure is used for implant installation.     

Clinical and radiographical features of submerged and nonsubmerged titanium implants

A clinical and radiographical study was performed to evaluate whether initial submergence of titanium fixtures is an obligate treatment measure for the establishment of proper bone anchorage when implants a.m. Brånemark are used. The sample was comprised of 11 subjects with edentulous mandibles. A split‐mouth design was employed; in the right mandibular quadrant a traditional 2‐step procedure for fixture installation and abutment connection was utilized, while in the left quadrant a 1‐step procedure was carried out, i.e., fixtures were placed and abutments were connected in one and the same session. Three to 4 months after fixture installation, fixed bridgeworks were fabricated and rigidly connected to the implants. Clinical examinations (including probing pocket depth, bleeding on probing and implant stability test) were performed after 12 and 18 months. Radiographs were taken following insertion of the bridges and at the 12‐ and 18‐month re‐examinations. The probing pocket depth, the bleeding on probing, the implant stability and the radiographic determinations were similar for the 2 groups of treatment alternatives. This indicates that titanium fixtures a.m. Brinemark can be properly anchored (osseointegrated) in mandibular bone and successfully used for bridge retention also when a 1‐step procedure is used for implant installation.     

Use of luting agents with an implant system: Part I.

When removal of the provisionally cemented superstructure from a cemented abutment becomes necessary, the retentive strengths of the abutment/fixture and superstructure/abutment luting agents become important considerations. This study compared the retentive strengths of castings cemented to machined titanium implant abutments and to a human premolar with three provisional luting agents. Also tested were the retentive strengths of cast noble metal implant abutments cemented into titanium fixtures with three permanent luting agents both dry and after storage in 0.9% physiologic saline for 30 days at 37 degrees C. No significant differences (alpha < 0.05) were noted in retentive values between the cemented castings on the titanium abutments and the natural tooth. The Temp Bond zinc oxide-eugenol luting agent exhibited a lower mean retentive strength than the IRM reinforced zinc oxide-eugenol and Life calcium hydroxide luting agents. Ketac Cem glass-ionomer cemented abutments that were stored in saline exhibited a significantly higher mean retentive strength than abutments cemented with either Core Paste or Resiment resin luting agents. On the basis of results from this study, it may be concluded that superstructures provisionally cemented with Temp Bond, IRM, or Life luting agents may be removed from implant abutments without disturbing the abutment/fixture or implant bond.     

Different types of inflammatory reactions in peri-implant soft tissues

Abstract The aim of the present study was to analyze some features of the peri-implant mucosa at sites in the dog model which had been exposed to plaque accumulation for periods up to 9 months. The experiment was carried out in 5 labrador dogs. The mandibular right and left 2nd, 3rd and 4th premolars (2P2, 3P3, 4P4) and the 1st molars (1M1) were extracted. Following a 3–month healing period, 3 titanium fixtures (Nobelpharma AB. Göteborg, Sweden) were installed in the edentulous premolar/molar regions. Abutment connection was performed 3 months later and a meticulous plaque control period of 3 months was initiated. A clinical examination was performed at the end of this preparatory period and a main study period of 9 months continued. During this period, the plaque control regimen was maintained in the mesial and central (left: L1, 2 and right: R1, 2) implant segments, whereas plaque was allowed to accumulate on the distal implants, i.e., L3 and R3. At the end of the main study period, i.e., 12 months after abutment connection, the clinical examination was repeated, the animals perfused and biopsies obtained. Semi-thin sections were produced for histo-metric and morphometric analyses. The peri-implant mucosa at implant sites exposed to daily and comprehensive plaque control at biopsy was clinically non-inflamed and the connective tissue lateral to a junctional epithelium was devoid of accumulations of inflammatory cells. On the other hand, termination of the plaque control program resulted in the accumulation of large amounts of plaque and calculus at the titanium abutments and the biopsies harvested from the implant sites after 9 months of plaque formation demonstrated an infiltrate which resided in the marginal portion of the peri-implant mucosa. The histological analysis of the biopsy material also revealed that an inflammatory cell infiltrate was consistently present at the level of borderline between the abutment and the fixture part of the implant. This infiltrate, called abutment ICT, occurred both at sites which had been exposed to plaque control and at sites at which plaque had been allowed to form during a 9–month interval. The histometric determinations disclosed that (i) the bone crest consistently was located about 1–1.5 mm “apical” of the abutment/fixture level, (ii) there was a zone, about 1 mm wide, of a normal non-infiltrated connective tissue that separated the apical portion of the abutment ICT and the bone crest. It is suggested that this infiltrate represents the efforts by the host to close off bacteria present within the implant system and that the establishment of an abutment ICT may explain the 1 mm bone loss observed during the course of the 1st year after bridge installation.     

Tissue reactions to abutment shift: an experimental study in dogs

Background: Standard protocols for the clinical use of dental implants often include the placement of healing abutments prior to standard or custom‐made abutments. The tissue response to a single shift from a healing abutment to a permanent abutment has not been studied. Purpose: The aim of the present experiment was to study tissue reactions that may occur following the removal of a healing abutment and the placement of a permanent abutment. Materials and Methods: In six beagle dogs, all mandibular premolars were extracted. Three months later three fixtures of the Astra Tech Implants Dental System (Astra Tech AB, Mölndal, Sweden) were installed in each edentulous premolar region. An additional 3 months later, the first abutment connection was performed. In two sites on each side of the mandible, healing abutments were placed; in the remaining site, a Uni‐abutment (Astra Tech AB) was used. The two healing abutments were removed 2 weeks later, and one Uni‐abutment and one prepable abutment were placed. A plaque‐control period was initiated, and 6 months later block biopsies were obtained. The biopsies were prepared for histometric and morphometric examination. Radiographs were obtained at fixture placement, 2 weeks after the first abutment connection, and 6 months later. Results: The length of the barrier epithelium, the height of the connective tissue attachment, and the level of the marginal bone did not differ between the three abutment groups. The major part of the radiographic bone loss during the experiment took place prior to or immediately after abutment connection; only small bone level alterations occurred during the subsequent 6‐month period. Conclusions: The shift from a healing abutment to a permanent abutment resulted in the establishment of a transmucosal attachment, the dimension and quality of which did not differ from those of the mucosal barrier formed to a permanent abutment placed during a second‐stage surgery.     

The effect of antimicrobial theram on peri‐implantitis lesions. An experimental study in the dog.

The objective of the present study was to evaluate the effect of systemic antibiotics and local debridement in the treatment of experimentally induced periimplantitis lesions. 5 Labrador dogs, about 1-year old, were included in the study. In order to establish bilateral recipient sites for implants the mandibular right and left 1st molars, 4th and 3rd premolars were removed. 6 titanium fixtures (Brånemark System® Nobelpharma AB, Göteborg, Sweden) were installed and standard abutments were connected 3 months after fixture installation. Cotton floss ligatures were placed in a submarginal position around the neck of the abutments and the animals were placed on a diet which allowed plaque accumulation. After 68 weeks, when the tissue destruction amounted to about 20% of the fixture length, the ligatures were removed. 1 month after ligature removal, an antibiotic regimen (amoxicillin and metronidazole) was initiated and maintained for 3 weeks. In the left side of the mandible, buccal and lingual mucoperiosteal flaps were elevated, the granulation tissue within the bone craters adjacent to the implants was curetted, and the abutments were removed. The exposed outer surface, the internal part of the fixtures, as well as the abutments were treated with a detergent, delmopinol. The cleaned abutments were autoclaved, and connected to the cleaned fixtures. The mucoperiosteal flaps were replaced to their original position, adapted to the abutments and sutured. A careful plaque control program was initiated for the left jaw quadrants. In the right side of the mandible no local treatment was given to the fixtures and the abutments following ligature removal. Furthermore, no plaque control was provided to the implant segments in the right jaws. After 4 months of healing block biopsies including one implant with adjacent hard and soft tissue were harvested and prepared for light microscopy. It was observed that systemic antimicrobial therapy, combined with implant cleaning, curettage of the bone defect and regular plaque control resulted in (i) resolution of the peri-implantitis lesion, (ii) a significant recession of the marginal peri-implant mucosa: and (iii) a minor additional apical shift of the base of the bone defect. In the untreated sites the plaque associated infiltrate remained and was in several sites examined in contact with the adjacent bone tissue.     

Bacterial colonization of the implant-abutment interface using an in vitro dynamic loading model

Background: Previously, we demonstrated that the geometry of the fixture–abutment interface influences the risk of bacterial invasion into the internal part of the implant, although the contribution of loading on this invasion was not evaluated. The aim of the present study is to use an in vitro dynamic‐loading model to assess the potential risk for invasion of oral microorganisms into the fixture–abutment interface microgap of dental implants with different fixture–abutment connection characteristics. Methods: Twenty‐eight implants were divided into two groups (n = 14 per group) based on their microgap dynamics. Group 1 was comprised of fixtures with internal Morse‐taper connection that connected to standard abutments. Group 2 was comprised of implants with a four‐groove conical internal connection that connected to multibase abutments. The specimens were immersed in a bacterial solution of Escherichia coli and loaded with 500,000 cycles of 15 N in a wear simulator. After disconnection of fixtures and abutments, microbial samples were taken from the threaded portion of the abutment, plated, and cultured under appropriate conditions. The difference between loosening and tightening torque value was also measured. Results: One of the 14 samples in Group 1 and 12 of the 14 of samples in Group 2 developed multiple colony forming units for E. coli. Implants in Group 1 exhibited an increase in torque value in contrast to implants in Group 2, which exhibited a decrease. Conclusion: This study indicates that differences in implant design may affect the potential risk for invasion of oral microorganisms into the fixture–abutment interface microgap under dynamic‐loading conditions.     

不同基台时种植体支持全瓷单冠的应力分析

目的：观察氧化铝、氧化锆全瓷基台和钛基台支持时种植体全瓷单冠各部位的应力分布情况。方法：建立种植体支持下颌第一前磨牙全瓷单冠的三维有限元模型，基台分别选用氧化铝、氧化锆和钛，采用垂直和水平加载两种方式，分析全瓷冠、基台、种植体及其周围骨组织的应力分布情况和最大应力。结果：全瓷基台和钛基台支持时应力分布基本类似，最大应力在水平加载时大于垂直加载时。全瓷冠内部应力集中在加载部位和舌侧肩台处，全瓷基台支持时最大应力无明显差异，稍低于钛基台支持时。基台内部应力集中在基台-种植体连接处的颊侧，瓷基台内部的最大应力高于钛基台，位移量小于钛基台。种植体及骨组织内部应力集中在种植体颈部皮质骨，最大应力在垂直加载条件下不同基台时无明显差异，在水平加载条件下钛基台高于全瓷基台。结论：全瓷基台支持时全瓷冠、种植体和骨组织内部应力较小；两种全瓷基台内部应力无明显差异，均高于钛基台。     

Peri-implant tissues at submerged and non-submerged titanium implants

The present experiment was performed to study the peri-implant tissue response to non-submerged (1-stage) and initially submerged (2-stage) implant installation procedures. 6 beagle dogs were used. All mandibular premolars and the 1st, 2nd and 3rd maxillary premolars were extracted. After 3 months of healing, 3 fixtures of the Astra Tech System were installed and submerged in the right (or the left) edentulous, premolar region in each of the 6 dogs. Radiographs were obtained immediately after fixture installation. In the radiographs, the distance between the abutment-fixture junction and the most "coronal" bone in contact with the implant surface was determined. 3 months later, abutments were connected to the initially submerged fixtures and another 3 fixtures of the same system were installed in the contralateral, edentulous premolar region. Abutments were, however, immediately connected to the newly-installed fixtures (non-submerged side; test side). The mucosal flaps were replaced, adjusted and sutured in such a way that the coronal portion of the abutments remained exposed in the oral cavity. A new set of radiographs were obtained from all 6 implant sites in each animal. A period of plaque control was initiated. Clinical examinations were performed and radiographs obtained from all implant sites after another 3 months and at the termination of the experiment. 9 months after the 1st fixture installation procedure, the animals were sacrificed, the mandibles were removed, and each implant region dissected. The most mesially-located implant sites were processed for ground sectioning. The remaining biopsies were processed and embedded in EPON. The histometric analysis included assessment of the vertical dimension of the marginal soft and mineralized peri-implant tissues. The ground sections were used for measurements describing (i) "bone to implant contact" and (ii) "bone density". It was observed that the mucosa and bone tissue that formed at implants placed in a non-submerged or a submerged procedure had many features in common. Thus, figures describing (i) the height of the mucosa, (ii) the length of the junctional epithelium and the height and quality of the zone of "connective tissue integration", (iii) the % of bone to implant contact as well as (iv) the density of the peri-implant bone, were similar in the submerged and the non-submerged groups. It is therefore suggested that a non-submerged (1-stage) installation technique may provide conditions for tissue integration that are similar to those obtained using a submerged (2-stage) approach.     

Soft tissue reactions to plaque formation at implant abutments with different surface topography. An experimental study in dogs

BACKGROUND: The mucosal attachment that forms to titanium implants, uncontaminated by bacterial plaque comprises, independent of the surface characteristics of the abutment, one barrier epithelium and one zone of connective tissue attachment. It was suggested that abutments with a rough surface may accumulate more plaque than abutments with a smooth surface and that such an enhanced rate of plaque build-up may favor the development of inflammatory lesions in the periimplant mucosa. OBJECTIVES: The aim of the present experiment was to study some reactions of the periimplant mucosa to plaque accumulation on implant abutments designed with either a rough or a smooth external surface. MATERIAL AND METHODS: In five beagle dogs, four fixtures were placed and submerged in the premolar region. In a second stage procedure performed after 3 months, abutments with two different types of surface topography, one rough, acid-etched (OA) and one smooth, turned abutment (TA), were installed in a random order. After 6 months of undisturbed plaque formation, the animals were sacrificed and biopsies obtained. Tissue samples were prepared for light microscopy and exposed to histometric and morphometric measurements. RESULTS: Six months of plaque accumulation resulted in the establishment of an inflammatory lesion (pl-ICT) in the connective tissue of the periimplant mucosa, the location, size and composition of which did not differ between OA and TA sites. In addition, most OA and TA sites harbored a second inflammatory cell infiltrate in the tissue lateral to the abutment/fixture junction (ab-ICT). While pl-ICT was dominated by plasma cells and lymphocytes, ab-ICT contained a comparatively large number of polymorphonuclear leukocytes. CONCLUSION: The different surface characteristics of abutment made of c.p. titanium failed to influence plaque formation and the establishment of inflammatory cell lesions in the periimplant mucosa.     

Resolution of peri‐implantitis following treatment. An experimental study in the dog.

The aim of the present experiment was i) to study the effect of anti-microbial therapy of experimentally induced peri-implantitis lesions and ii) to assess features of bone regrowth following treatment. Four beagle dogs were used. Three titanium fixtures (Brånemark System®) were installed in each quadrant of the mandible (premolars previously extracted). Abutment connection was performed 5 months later and ligature induced break-down was initiated. The ligatures were removed when approximately 50% of the initial bone support was lost. A 3-week antibiotic regimen (amoxi-cillin and metronidazole) was initiated 1 month later. Two days after the start of the antibiotic administration, the experimental implant sites were exposed to local therapy. The abutments were removed and the exposed fixture surfaces were treated with an abrasive (pumice) administered via a rotating brush (left side) or cleaned with cotton pellets soaked in saline (right side). Cover screws were attached to the fixtures and the implants were submerged. Fluorochromes were injected intravenously 2 weeks, 4 weeks and 12 weeks after surgery. The animals were killed 7-months after surgery and block biopsies of each implant site were dissected and prepared for histological analysis. The findings of the examinations disclosed that the inflammatory lesion was resolved and new bone formation had occurred in the previous defect following antimicrobial and local therapy. The amount of “re-osseointegration” that had taken place, however, was small. Indeed, at all experimental implant sites, a thin connective tissue capsule was found to separate the implant surface from the newly formed bone.     

The mucosal barrier at implant abutments of different materials

Objective: The aim of the present study was to analyze the soft tissue barrier formed to implant abutments made of different materials.
Material and methods: Six Labrador dogs, about 1 year old, were used. All mandibular premolars and the first, second and third maxillary premolars were extracted. Three months later four implants (OsseoSpeed^™, 4.5 × 9 mm, Astra Tech Dental, Mölndal, Sweden) were placed in the edentulous premolar region on one side of the mandible and healing abutments were connected. One month later, the healing abutments were disconnected and four new abutments were placed in a randomized order. Two of the abutments were made of titanium (Ti), while the remaining abutments were made of ZrO₂ or AuPt-alloy. A 5-months plaque control program was initiated. Three months after implant surgery, the implant installation procedure and the subsequent abutment shift were repeated in the contra-lateral mandibular region. Two months later, the dogs were euthanized and biopsies containing the implant and the surrounding soft and hard peri-implant tissues were collected and prepared for histological analysis.
Results: It was demonstrated that the soft tissue dimensions at Ti- and ZrO₂ abutments remained stable between 2 and 5 months of healing. At Au/Pt-alloy abutment sites, however, an apical shift of the barrier epithelium and the marginal bone occurred between 2 and 5 months of healing. In addition, the 80-μm-wide connective tissue zone lateral to the Au/Pt-alloy abutments contained lower amounts of collagen and fibroblasts and larger fractions of leukocytes than the corresponding connective tissue zone of abutments made of Ti and ZrO₂.
Conclusion: It is suggested that the soft tissue healing to abutments made of titanium and ZrO₂ is different to that at abutments made of AuPt-alloy.     

Cement thickness at implant‐supported single‐tooth Lava assemblies: a scanning electron microscopic investigation

Objectives: The fit of implant‐supported single‐tooth Lava zirconia assemblies was investigated in this study. The implant–abutment interface, the interface between the metallic and the zirconia portion of the abutment and the interface between Lava abutments and copings were evaluated. The adaptation of titanium abutments to implants and Lava copings was investigated as a control. Material and methods: Twenty implants were randomly assigned and connected to Lava abutments (group 1) or titanium abutments (group 2). All specimens were subjected to scanning electron microscopy (SEM) analysis of the fixture/abutment fit. Afterwards, specimens were luted to Lava copings and subjected to a SEM evaluation of the marginal external adaptation of the abutments with the copings. Finally, the samples were embedded in resin, sectioned and subjected to SEM analysis of the following interfaces; group 1: titanium/zirconia interface (between the constitutive components of the Lava abutment) and the zirconia/zirconia interface (between the Lava abutment and the coping); group 2: the titanium/zirconia interface (between the titanium abutment and the Lava coping). Non‐parametric analysis of variance and a post hoc test were used for statistical analysis. Results: Significant differences emerged in the cement thickness between titanium and zirconia components of the Lava abutments as compared with the thickness measured at the interface between Lava copings and the abutments investigated. No differences were found in cement thickness between Lava copings and the two different abutments. Conclusions: When Lava abutments are used, the most critical cement thickness is the internal interface between its titanium and zirconia components. Lava coping adaptation for both Lava and titanium abutments is within the clinical acceptable range. To cite this article:
Apicella D, Veltri M, Chieffi N, Balleri P, Ferrari M. Cement thickness at implant‐supported single‐tooth Lava assemblies: a scanning electron microscopic investigation.
Clin. Oral Impl. Res. 21 , 2010; 747–750.
doi: 10.1111/j.1600‐0501.2009.01882.x     

Bacterial plaque colonization around dental implant surfaces

PURPOSE: To examine the distribution of bacteria into the internal and external surfaces of failed implants using histologic analysis. MATERIALS AND METHODS: There were 10 failed pure titanium and 5 failed hydroxyapatite-coated titanium implants consecutively removed various years after their placement. Criteria for fixture removal were peri-implant radiolucency and clinical mobility. The mobile fixtures were retrieved with the patients under local anesthesia. Fixtures were removed maintaining the abutments with the aim to observe the bacterial infiltration at the level of abutment/implant interface and on the implant surface. RESULTS: A thin radiolucent space was always present around all the failed implants. The abutments screws were tightly secured in all clinical cases. The bacterial cells were composed of cocci and filaments, which were adherent to the implant surface with an orientation perpendicular to the long axis of the implant. All the specimens included in this study showed bacteria at the level of implant/abutment interface. CONCLUSIONS: Histologic analysis at the level of abutment/implant interface in 2-stage implants identified heavy bacterial colonization. These findings appear to support those studies showing bacteria penetration at the level of the micro-gap, which can legitimate the hypothesis that the micro-gap at the bone level could present a risk for bone loss caused by bacterial colonization.     

A comparative study of gold UCLA-type and CAD/CAM titanium implant abutments

PURPOSE

The aim of this study was to evaluate the interface accuracy of computer-assisted designed and manufactured (CAD/CAM) titanium abutments and implant fixture compared to gold-cast UCLA abutments.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

An external connection implant system (Mark III, n=10) and an internal connection implant system (Replace Select, n=10) were used, 5 of each group were connected to milled titanium abutment and the rest were connected to the gold-cast UCLA abutments. The implant fixture and abutment were tightened to torque of 35 Ncm using a digital torque gauge, and initial detorque values were measured 10 minutes after tightening. To mimic the mastication, a cyclic loading was applied at 14 Hz for one million cycles, with the stress amplitude range being within 0 N to 100 N. After the cyclic loading, detorque values were measured again. The fixture-abutment gaps were measured under a microscope and recorded with an accuracy of ±0.1 µm at 50 points.

RESULTS

Initial detorque values of milled abutment were significantly higher than those of cast abutment (P<.05). Detorque values after one million dynamic cyclic loadings were not significantly different (P>.05). After cyclic loading, detorque values of cast abutment increased, but those of milled abutment decreased (P<.05). There was no significant difference of gap dimension between the milled abutment group and the cast abutment group after cyclic loading.

CONCLUSION

In conclusion, CAD/CAM milled titanium abutment can be fabricated with sufficient accuracy to permit screw joint stability between abutment and fixture comparable to that of the traditional gold cast UCLA abutment.     

Subcrestal placement of two-part implants

Objective: The aim of the present experiment was to study the healing around two-part implants that were placed in a subcrestal position.
Material and methods: Five mongrel dogs, about 2 years old, were included. The mandibular premolars and the first, second and third maxillary premolars were extracted. Three months later two test and two control implants (OsseoSpeed^™, 3.5 mm × 8 mm) were placed in one side of the mandible. The implants were placed in such a way that the implant margin was located 2 mm apical to the bone crest. In the test implants, the surface modification extended to the implant margin and, thus, included the shoulder part of the implant. Regular abutments with a turned surface (Zebra^™) were connected to the control implants, while experimental abutments with a modified surface (TiOblast^™) were connected to the test implants. A plaque control program that included cleaning of implants and teeth every second day was initiated. Four months later the dogs were euthanized and biopsies were obtained and prepared for histological analysis.
Results: The marginal bone level at the test implants was identified in a more coronal position than that at the control implants. In 40% of the test implants, the bone-to-implant contact extended coronal of the abutment/fixture (A/F) border, i.e. in contact with the abutment part of the implant. The connective tissue portion of the peri-implant mucosa that was facing the test abutments contained a higher density of collagen and a smaller proportion of fibroblasts than that at the control sites.
Conclusion: It is suggested that osseointegration may occur coronal to the A/F interface of two-part implants. Such a result, however, appears to depend on the surface characteristics of the implant components.     

Characteristics of implant-CAD/CAM abutment connections of two different internal connection systems

Titanium or zirconium computer-aided design/computer-aided manufacturing abutments are now widely used for aesthetic implant treatments; however, information regarding microscopic structural differences that may influence the biological and mechanical outcomes of different implant systems is limited. Therefore, the characteristics of different connection systems were investigated. Optical microscopic observation and scanning electron microscopy showed different characteristics of two internal systems, namely the Astra Tech and the Replace Select system, and for different materials. The scanning electron microscopic observation showed for the Astra Tech that the implant-abutment interface seemed to be completely sealed for both titanium and zirconium abutments, both horizontally and sagittally; however, the first implant-abutment contact was below the fixture top, creating a microgap, and fixtures connected with titanium abutments showed significantly larger values (23·56μm±5·44 in width, and 168·78μm±30·39 in depth, P<0·001). For Replace Select, scanning electron microscopy in the sagittal direction showed that the sealing of titanium and zirconium abutments differed. The seal between the implant-titanium and implant-zirconium abutments seemed to be complete at the butt-joint interface; however, the displacement of the abutment in relation to the fixture in the lateral direction was evident for both abutments with no statistical differences (P>0·70), creating an inverted microgap. Thus, microscopy evaluation of two commonly used internal systems connected to titanium or zirconium abutments showed that the implant-abutment interface was perfectly sealed under no-loading conditions. However, an inverted microgap was seen in both systems, which may result in bacterial accumulation as well as alteration of stress distribution at the implant-abutment interface.