Histological differences in the adherence of connective tissue to laser-treated abutments and standard abutments for dental implants. An experimental pilot study in humans

BACKGROUND: The goal of the current study is to assess the difference in connective tissue adherence to laser microtextured versus machined titanium abutments. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Six patients were selected and each of them received 2 implants, one combined with a laser treated abutment and one with a machined abutment. After three months, the abutments were retrieved together with their surrounding gingival tissue for histological analysis. Qualitative and quantitative evaluation of microscopical images was performed to assess the presence or absence of adherence between the soft tissues and the abutment, and the percentage of soft tissue adhered to the two different surfaces. RESULTS: Intimate adherence between connective tissue and the laser treated abutments, while on machined abutments no adherence was detected. A significant difference was found in the percentage of surface in contact with soft tissue between both implant abutments p=0.03. CONCLUSIONS: Within the limitation of the current study, it can be concluded that connective tissues show enhanced adherence to microtextured abutments compared to machined abutments. Key words:Abutment, connective tissue, dental implant, gingiva, human, laser.