Soft tissue integration of different abutment surfaces: An experimental study with histological analysis

OBJECTIVE To evaluate whether abutment surface and surface bio-activation have an effect on soft tissue morphogenesis. MATERIALS AND METHODS 36 patients (36 implants) were included. Abutments were randomly divided into 4 groups (n = 9): Smooth Surface-MAChined (MAC), Ultrathin Threaded Microsurface (UTM), MAC Plasma of Argon activated (Plasma-MAC), and UTM Plasma of Argon activated (Plasma-UTM). After 2 months of healing, soft tissue samples were collected and prepared for histological analysis. The margin of the peri-implant mucosa (PM), the apical extension of the barrier epithelium (aJE), and the apical location of the abutment (AM) were identified. Significances of differences among gro…