A comparative study to evaluate the effect of two different abutment designs on soft tissue healing and stability of mucosal margins.

AIM: To evaluate the effect of two different abutment designs on soft tissue healing and the stability of the mucosal margin in vivo.

MATERIALS AND METHODS: Twenty-nine subjects received two, non-adjacent endosseous implants in the esthetic zone. Subsequently, conventional (control) and curved abutments (experimental) were placed in combination with a temporary restoration (left-right randomization). Plaster models of the healed sites were made to assess the stability of the soft tissues at baseline and after 6 weeks. To measure deseating force, a dontrix gauge was used while removing the abutments after 6 weeks.

RESULTS: Although visually, differences in the transmucosal area were observed, the differences in marginal recession and in deseating force between abutments from the experimental and the control group never reached a statistically significant level. In general, some gain in soft tissue height was seen in both groups. Angled abutments elicited recession at all buccal sites (P = 0.003-0.02).

CONCLUSION: Abutments with a circumferential groove do not lead to a different response of the mucosal margin compared with a regular abutment, and are no more resistant upon removal than regular abutments after 6 weeks of function.