Histological and immunohistochemical soft‐tissue response to cylindrical and concave abutments: Multicenter randomized clinical trial

Abstract

[EN]Background: This study aimed to analyze the influence of concave and cylindrical abutments on peri-implant soft tissue. Dimensions, collagen fiber orientation, and immunohistochemical data were assessed. Methods: A multicenter, split-mouth, double-blind randomized clinical trial was conducted. Two groups were analyzed: cylindrical abutments and concave abutments. After a 12-week healing period, peri-implant soft tissue samples were collected, processed, and evaluated for dimensions, collagen fiber orientation, and immunohistochemical data. Inflammatory infiltration and vascularization were assessed, and the abutment surfaces were analyzed using scanning electron microscopy. The statistical analysis was performed using the SPSS version 20.0 statistical package. Results: A total of 74 samples in 37 patients were evaluated. Histological evaluation of peri-implant soft tissue dimensions revealed significant differences between concave and cylindrical abutments. Concave abutments exhibited greater total height (concave: 3.57 ± 0.28 – cylindrical: 2.95 ± 0.27) and barrier epithelium extension (concave: 2.46 ± 0.17 – cylindrical: 1.89 ± 0.21) (p< 0.05), while the supracrestal connective tissue extension (concave: 1.11 ±0.17 – cylindrical: 1.03 ± 0.16) was slightly greater (p > 0.05). Collagen fiber orientation favored concave abutments (23.76 ± 5.86), with significantly more transverse/perpendicular fibers than for cylindrical abutments (15.68 ± 4.57). The immunohistochemical analysis evidenced greater inflammatory and vascular intensity in the lower portion for both abutments, though concave abutments showed lower overall intensity (concave: 1.05 ± 0.78 – cylindrical: 1.97 ± 0.68)(p < 0.05). The abutment surface analysis demonstrated a higher percentage of tissue remnants on concave abutments (42.47 ± 1.32; 45.12 ± 3.03) (p < 0.05). Conclusions: Within the limitations of this study, concave abutments presented significantly greater peri-implant tissue height, linked to an extended barrier epithelium, versus cylindrical abutments in thick tissue phenotype. This enhanced soft tissue sealing, favoring a greater percentage of transversely oriented collagen fibers. The concave design reduced chronic inflammatory exudation with T and B cells, thus minimizing the risk of chronic inflammation.