Zirconia and titanium implant abutments. Clinical, microbiological, histological and optical aspects

Abstract

With respect to the formulated questions of investigation it can be summarized that in general ZrO2 and Ti abutment surfaces exhibit similar clinical characteristics of peri-implant soft tissue health, microbiological and histological features during the first 3 months of function in man. Clinical and microbiological findings associate poorly with histological findings in relatively healthy permucosal conditions. Optically, differences in light reflection of the mucosa covering gray titanium and white zirconia abutments can be distinguished by the human eye when the mucosa is thinner than 2 mm. Regarding clinical relevance it can be stated that from a biological point of view, there appears to be not much difference in the soft tissue response to ZrO2 and Ti abutments and either can be used without preference. Care should be taken when interpreting conventional clinical parameters for monitoring the soft tissue condition in relatively situations. Optically, ZrO2 abutments may be favoured in aesthetically demanding cases where the overlying mucosa is thin.