Objective: Multiple implantations of the implant healing abutment (IHA) could adversely impact its surface properties in vivo. Furthermore, the effect of sterilization and reuse of the IHA on soft tissue viability and bacterial contamination has not been extensively studied. The goal of this study was to perform an in vitro analysis of mammalian cell viability and bacterial adhesion on the surfaces of retrieved IHA after single and multiple implantations and repetitive cycles of sterilization.
Materials and methods: IHA surface morphology was studied using optical microscopy. Cell viability of gingival fibroblasts (HGF-1) and oral keratinocytes (HOKg) in indirect contact with IHAs was assessed for 3 and 7 days. Immersion in bacterial culture was performed with a polyculture of Streptococcus species for 3 days and Streptococcus species with Fusobacterium nucleatum for 7 days.
Results: IHAs exhibited signs of surface damage even after a single exposure to the oral cavity. Fibroblasts did not show a significant preference towards control IHAs over used IHAs, whereas keratinocytes exhibited a significant decrease in viability when exposed to IHAs after multiple implantation cycles as compared with controls. Adherent bacterial count increased with increasing number of IHA implantations for both polycultures.
Conclusions: Reusing of IHAs in vivo promoted surface degradation in addition to adversely impacting host cell viability and oral bacterial attachment in vitro. These findings show IHA reuse might potentially affect its clinical performance.
Clinical relevance: Careful consideration should be taken when reusing IHAs in patients because this practice can result in permanent surface changes that might affect soft tissue integration during the healing period and promote bacterial colonization.
Keywords: Bacteria; Healing abutment; Mammalian cell; Multiple-use; Retrieval; Soft tissue.