Clinical and radiographic evaluation of peri-implant tissue changes associated with use of standard versus customized healing abutments

Abstract

Objective: Risks of esthetic complications has been reported following dental implant insertion; hence it was hypothesis that a customized healing abutment could improve the peri-implant tissue healing. This study aims to evaluate healing around implants received a customized compared to a standard healing abutment. Patients & Methods: Twelve patients (eight females and four males aged 33-43) had two nearly comparable partial edentulous spaces on both sides of one jaw, split mouth technique were applied to divide theme into two groups: Group 1 sites received delayed implant with standard healing abutment; Group 2 sites received delayed implant with a customized healing abutment that was fabricated in resin. Results: Twenty four implants were inserted successfully in the two groups. The Papilla Index was significantly higher in the customized than in the standard group at 2 and 3 months. The bone loss at mesial and distal sites was significantly higher in the customized than in the standard group at 6 and 9 months. Conclusion: Customized healing abutment group showed most favorable outcomes compared with that of standard healing abutment assessed with the criteria of PI and MBL.