Do healing abutments influence the outcome of implant treatment? A three-year multicenter study

Statement of the problem. It is not known if healing abutments replaced subsequently with permanent abutments adverse;u affect the soft tissues and marginal bone levels around dental implants. Purpose. This study evaluated the mucosal condition and marginal bone levels 3 years after placement of healing abutments in patients provided with fixed prostheses supported by Brånemark implants. Material and methods. Data were analyzed retrospectively from 117 patients treated at five centers in which 318 healing abutments were placed on maxillary and 112 on mandibular implants. A prospective 3-year appraisal with a specific protocol accessed the response of mucosal cuffs and marginal bone levels surrounding surviving implants. Results. Exchange of abutments did not affect expected survival rates of implants (94% maxilla, 99% mandible) or produce mean levels of marginal bone loss greater than anticipated for the system. mean marginal bone levels correlated significantly with the jaw. Most patients achieved good oral hygiene and favorable peri-implant soft tissue health. Conclusion. No evidence was found to suggest abutment exchange adversely affects outcome of implant treatment. (J Prosthet Dent 1998;80:193-8.)