Influence of different forms and materials (zirconia or titanium) of abutments in peri-implant soft-tissue healing using matrix metalloproteinase-8: A randomized pilot study.

STATEMENT OF PROBLEM

It is unclear how pathogenic bacteria adhere to different implant materials and whether biomarker matrix metalloproteinase-8 (MMP-8) level provides a reliable method of evaluating the connective tissue status of peri-implant tissues.

PURPOSE

The purpose of this pilot clinical study was to evaluate peri-implant connective tissue response by assessing the MMP-8 levels in peri-implant crevicular fluid around titanium and zirconia abutments.

MATERIAL AND METHODS

The study was designed as a prospective, within-subject comparison with left-right randomization low. Twelve participants with partial edentulism were selected according to inclusion and exclusion criteria. Peri-implant sulcal fluid sampling and pocket probing depths were assessed at 1, 3, and 12 months after placing the abutments. The MMP-8 protein level of the peri-implant sulcal fluid was determined by MMP-8-specific sandwich enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay system. The independent t test or Wilcoxon test was used to compare MMP-8 levels and probing depth assessment between the zirconia and titanium groups at different time points (1, 3, and 12 months). Repeated measures ANOVA was used for within-group comparison of the MMP-8 levels at 3 time points (α=.05).

RESULTS

At 1 and 3 months, the titanium abutments showed significantly higher MMP-8 levels and probing depths than the zirconia abutments (P<.05), but no significant differences were found at 12 months for either variable (P>.05).

CONCLUSIONS

This study suggests the presence of more remodeling and/or inflammatory phenomena around titanium implant abutments than around zirconia abutments of a different design during the early stages but not at 1 year.