Sealing Efficacy of the Original and Third-Party Custom-Made Abutments—Microbiological In Vitro Pilot Study

Abstract

Implant–abutment connection (IAC) is a key factor for the long-term success and stability of implant-supported prosthodontic restoration and its surrounding tissues. Misfit between prosthodontic abutment and implant at the IAC leads to technical and biological complications. Two kinds of prosthodontic abutments are currently available on the market: original and third-party abutments. The aim of this pilot study was to test and compare the internal fit (gap) at the implant–abutment interface depending on the abutment fabrication method based on microbial leakage in static conditions and the need for the use of gap sealing material. Two groups of 40 implants were formed on the basis of the type of abutment. In each of the groups of two implant systems, two subgroups of 10 implants were formed. The tested subgroups consisted of 10 implants with sealing material and a negative control subgroups consisting of 10 implants without any sealing material. The test material, GapSeal (Hager and Werken, Duisburg, Germany) was applied in the test subgroups. The implant–abutment assemblies were contaminated with a solution containing Staphylococcus aureus and Candida albicans for 14 days under aerobic conditions. Results showed that there was no statistically significant difference regarding the microbial leakage between the original and third-party custom-made abutments, regardless of the use of sealing material. It can be concluded that the abutment fabrication method has no significant influence on sealing efficacy regarding the bacterial and fungal leakage in static conditions.

Antimicrobial Efficacy and Permeability of Various Sealing Materials in Two Different Types of Implant–Abutment Connections

“…Microbiological preparation, sampling, and processing of samples were performed at the laboratory of the Department of Clinical and Molecular Microbiology, University Hospital Centre Zagreb. The methodology was developed based on the protocol used in the recent pilot study by Smojver et al [ 32 ], which has been tested repeatedly for in vitro static conditions.…”

Considerations Regarding Sandblasting of Ti and Ti6Al4V Used in Dental Implants and Abutments as a Preconditioning Stage for Restorative Dentistry Works

“…The importance of sandblasting resides in its inherent properties and outcome: enhanced surface roughness and increased surface area, essential for mechanical interlocking between the implant, abutment, and restorative material, thorough surface cleanliness, as most of the manufacturing contaminants such as oils, oxides, and residues are removed, increase wettability, effective mechanical retention, due to the increased friction forces [1][2][3][4][5][8][9][10][11][12][13][14][15].…”

“…The surface of the implants used in oral implantology, according to the data provided by the manufacturers, is microtextured obtained by sandblasting and subsequent processing using acids, the formation of the above said morphology being the main cause of microgaps formation at the implant-abutment interface, (IAI), [9][10][11][12].…”