ASSESSMENT OF HUMAN GINGIVAL FIBROBLAST ATTACHMENTS TO DIFFERENT TYPES OF ABUTMENT MATERIAL

Abstract

Background: The success of dental implants is heavily dependent on the material properties of the abutments used. Understanding how gingival fibroblasts interact with different abutment materials is crucial for optimizing peri-implant health and ensuring the long-term success of the implants.

Objective: This study aimed to evaluate the adhesion and proliferation of human gingival fibroblasts on four commonly used abutment materials: titanium, zirconium, polyether ether ketone (PEEK), and stainless steel, to determine which materials promote the best cellular response and peri-implant seal.

Methods: Disk-shaped specimens of each material were prepared and subjected to fibroblast adhesion assay. The surfaces were analyzed for roughness, while fibroblast response was quantified using optical density measurements of cell viability assays.

Results: The results indicated that titanium and zirconia abutments exhibited significantly higher levels of fibroblast adhesion compared to PEEK and stainless steel. Both materials demonstrated favorable surface properties that enhance biocompatibility and support peri-implant tissue integration. In contrast, PEEK and stainless steel showed lower biocompatibility, which could potentially limit their use in clinical scenarios requiring optimal biological responses.

Conclusion: Titanium and zirconia are superior to PEEK and stainless steel in terms of supporting gingival fibroblast activities crucial for successful dental implant. These findings suggest that choosing the right abutment material is fundamental for improving implant success rates and long-term patient outcomes. Further in vivo studies and clinical trials are necessary to validate these findings and fully understand the implications of abutment material selection in dental implantology.