Jarvie Journal - College of Dental Medicine - Columbia University

The Journal of the William Jarvie Society
One Abutment – One Time, Histologic Analysis
Cliff Chen, DDS 1 ; Dale R. Rosenbach 1 ; John T. Grbic 2 ; Dennis P. Tarnow 3
1 Postdoctoral Periodontal Program, College of Dental Medicine, Columbia University, NY, NY;
2 Division of Oral Biology, College of Dental Medicine, Columbia University, NY, NY;
3 Implant Dentistry, College of Dental Medicine, Columbia University, NY, NY
Introduction: Patients nowadays are more demanding for better esthetic results after implant
placement, especially at the anterior region. It has been demonstrated that the abutment
connection/disconnection plays an important role in the outcome of crestal bone and soft tissue
level. The purpose of this study was to evaluate soft and hard tissue reactions that may occur
after different times of screwing and unscrewing healing abutments on implants.
Material and Methods: This is a randomized split mouth prospective longitudinal study.
Three teeth were extracted on both sides of the mouth from 12 beagle dogs. Six implants
(3.5x8mm, ankylos, densply) were placed 8 weeks following extraction and healing abutments
were affixed immediately. In test group 1, the abutments were disconnected/reconnected one
time at week 9 following implant placements. The abutments in test group 2 were disconnected
three times (once each at week 5, 7 and 9 following implant placements). The control groups
remained untouched. Eighteen weeks following extraction, dogs were euthanized and the
mandibles were sectioned. Histometric and morphometric analyses were performed and
measurements were calculated.
Results/ Conclusion: Healing was uneventful following teeth extraction and implant
placements. Results are pending as the histomorphometric analysis is ongoing.
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