Research is increasingly being conducted on polymethylmethacrylate (PMMA) as a material for fixed dentures and/or healing abutments. In this prospective study, the effects of different healing abutment materials (Ti, Zr, PMMA) on parameters of peri-implant infections were investigated.

30 subjects with two-piece Ti implants received healing abutments made of Ti, Zr or PMMA. Subsequently, different parameters of peri-implant infections were assessed at placement of healing abutments and follow-ups (after 2 weeks, 2, 3, 6, 12, and 15 months):

Inflammatory response mediated by αMMP-8 level in peri-implant sulcus fluid
Clinical and radiographic periodontal status: pocket probing depths (PPD), bleeding on probing (BOP), plaque index (PI), marginal bone loss (MBL)

No significant differences for preliminary results in αMMP-8 level and in clinical parameters (PPD, BOP, PI, MBL) between the three groups were found. Compared to other studies (e.g. [1], [2]) no signs of peri-implant diseases were observed.

Effect of different healing abutment materials on parameters of peri-implant infections