A new clinical study has found that zirconia (ZR) and customized titanium (CS) abutments yield comparable soft tissue responses and volume stability in dental implants. While both materials performed well, each showed unique advantages. ZR abutments were associated with shallower probing depths, suggesting a more favorable soft tissue condition. In contrast, CS abutments demonstrated less volumetric shrinkage over time, indicating better maintenance of peri-implant contour (Wennerberg et al., 2024).
The researchers assessed multiple indicators, including soft peri-implant tissue height (SPTH), probing depth (PD), and volumetric tissue changes. The SPTH remained stable in both groups, emphasizing that neither material compromised vertical tissue integrity over the 12-month follow-up period. These findings contribute to the ongoing debate around the ideal abutment material for esthetic and functional outcomes in implant dentistry. Zirconia, often praised for its tooth-like color and biocompatibility, seems to promote better soft tissue health, especially in anterior regions. Titanium, especially when customized, offers better volume retention — a critical factor for long-term esthetics and tissue stability. This research supports the idea that clinical decision-making can be more flexible, taking into account patient-specific needs such as esthetics, tissue thickness, and risk of inflammation. The authors suggest that both materials are reliable choices, and that their selection may come down to surgical protocol, prosthetic design, and patient anatomy.
Keywords: zirconia abutment, titanium abutment, soft tissue health, peri-implant tissue, dental implants, volumetric stability, probing depth, SPTH, implant esthetics
Reference: Wennerberg, A., et al. (2024).
Comparison of soft peri‐implant tissue height and volume changes in zirconia and customized titanium abutments: A randomized controlled trial.
Clinical Implant Dentistry and Related Research.
https://doi.org/10.1111/cid.70076
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