Clinical Research Directory

Soft Tissue Response and IL-1β Levels Around CAD/CAM-Milled vs 3D-Printed PMMA Healing Abutments

This study looked at how the gums and tissues around dental implants heal when using two different types of temporary healing caps made of PMMA (a common dental material). These healing caps help shape the gums before placing the final crown. There are two ways to make these caps: 1. CAD/CAM-milled (carved from a solid block) 2. 3D-printed (built layer by layer using resin) The goal was to find out which type leads to healthier gum tissue. What the Researchers Did * 22 dental implants in 22 patients were included. * Each implant received one healing cap-either milled or 3D-printed. * Patients were checked after 1 week, 2 weeks, and 4 weeks. * The team measured: * Gum inflammation * Bleeding around the implant * Plaque buildup * Pocket depth around the implant * Levels of an inflammatory marker called Interleukin-1β (IL-1β) in the gum fluid (higher levels mean more inflammation). * Surface smoothness and material quality of each type of healing cap. What the Study Found * Gum inflammation and bleeding were higher with 3D-printed caps, especially at week 4. * IL-1β levels were much higher around 3D-printed caps-showing more inflammation. * Both types had some increase in plaque and probing depth over time, but there was no major difference between groups. * The milled caps had smoother surfaces and better material quality, which may have helped reduce irritation and inflammation. * 3D-printed caps were rougher and had lower polymerization (more leftover monomers), which may trigger soft-tissue irritation. What This Means * CAD/CAM-milled PMMA healing caps appear to be safer and healthier for gum healing around dental implants. * They may help reduce early inflammation, support better tissue health, and more predictably shape the gums during healing. Why This Matters for Patients * Using a smoother, better-finished healing cap may lower the risk of early gum inflammation. * Healthier soft tissue around an implant leads to better long-term implant stability. * This information can help dentists choose the best healing cap for optimal healing. Study Timeframe • The follow-up was 4 weeks, so results focus on early healing. More research is needed to know long-term differences.

Spatiotemporal Single-cell Atlas of Peri-implant Soft Tissue Healing

This study aims to explore the dynamic changes in different cell types and their molecular regulatory mechanisms during the healing process of peri-implant soft tissues, using single-cell RNA sequencing (scRNA-seq) and spatial transcriptomics (ST). The research will focus specifically on the healing of soft tissues around dental implants in human subjects with the use of a healing abutment. Participants in the healing abutment group will have a micro healing abutment placed immediately after implant placement. Tissue samples will be collected at various time points (Day 4, Day 14, and Day 70) to construct a detailed single-cell map of the healing process. Spatial transcriptomics will be integrated to preserve tissue architecture, enabling the identification of the spatial distribution of different cell types and their interactions within the peri-implant microenvironment. This combined approach will allow for a comprehensive characterization of cellular interactions, spatial gene expression patterns, and regulatory networks specific to healing abutments. The goal is to identify key regulatory factors that could improve peri-implant soft tissue healing and help prevent peri-implantitis.

Comparative Clinical Study of Conventional vs Customized Healing Abutments in Dental Implantology

This clinical study evaluates how different healing abutment designs influence the healing and preservation of the soft tissues surrounding dental implants. Healing abutments are temporary components placed on implants during the healing phase to help shape the gum tissue before placing the final crown or prosthesis. The way these components interact with the gum tissue may affect the long-term stability, volume, and aesthetics of the peri-implant soft tissue. All participating patients will receive bone-level dental implants placed approximately 2 mm below the bone crest (subcrestal position). The study will include three groups of patients, each receiving a different type of healing abutment: Group 1 (Control): will receive a standard cylindrical healing abutment. Group 2: will receive a wide healing abutment with an enlarged base to support more soft tissue volume. Group 3: will receive a customized healing abutment designed using digital intraoral scanning and CAD/CAM technology, intended to replicate the final prosthetic emergence profile. The goal is to evaluate which type of healing abutment helps to preserve the natural volume and shape of the gum tissue most effectively during the healing period. The primary focus will be on measuring changes in soft tissue volume and thickness around the implants over time. Participants will undergo digital intraoral scans before surgery and at 3, 6, and 12 months after implant placement. These scans will be used to assess how the gum tissue changes in response to each type of abutment using 3D analysis and software-based measurements. This study is important because maintaining healthy and stable soft tissue around dental implants plays a crucial role in achieving successful, long-lasting, and aesthetically pleasing results. By understanding how healing abutment design affects tissue healing, clinicians may be better equipped to select the most appropriate healing protocol for each patient.

Prospective Longitudinal Clinical Study for the Evaluation of Peri-implant Tissue and Osseointegration After Rehabilitation With Osseointegrated Implants

The success of rehabilitation with osseointegrated implants is associated with numerous factors, including patient characteristics, installed implants, proper planning, and the prosthetic connections used. In the long term, success is closely related to the clinical radiographic follow-up of the implanted region and the identification of intrinsic or extrinsic factors that may interfere with implant survival. Therefore, the objective of this study is to evaluate, through clinical and radiographic analysis, the peri-implant tissues and prosthetic connections of research participants rehabilitated with osseointegrated implants at the Implant Dentistry Clinic of the Federal Fluminense University, over a period of 5 years. This will be a double-blind longitudinal study. A total of 148 research participants will be selected, respecting the inclusion criteria: completion of surgical-prosthetic planning by the Implant Dentistry Clinic team at UFF, including osseointegrated implants and prosthetic components manufactured by SIN Implant System (São Paulo, Brazil); agreeing to and signing the informed consent form, being willing to be monitored for a period of 5 years; systemically healthy patients who do not use antiresorptive and antiangiogenic drugs; patients with a plaque index \<20% (Ainamo \& Bay 1975) and bleeding on probing \<20% (Muhlemann \& Son 1971) at the start of the study. Participants will undergo clinical and radiographic analysis of peri-implant tissues and prosthetic connections at the following intervals: up to 7 days after implant installation (Time 0), at the time of prosthesis installation (Time 1), 6 months after prosthesis installation (Time 2), and 1 to 5 years after prosthesis installation (Times 3, 4, 5, 6, and 7, respectively). It is expected that this longitudinal study will lead to a better understanding of the factors influencing peri-implant bone loss and long-term success.

Comparison of BioHPP (High Performance Polymer) - vs Titanium- vs Zirconia Abutments

The project is a prospective, randomized, controlled study. The material BioHPP (High Performance Polymer) is compared with the gold-standard abutment materials titanium and zirconia in terms of peri-implant soft tissue healing.