Abutment Material Affects the Attachment of Co-cultured Fibroblasts and Keratinocytes

Abstract

Creating a stronger transmucosal seal around the implant abutment may help prevent epithelial downgrowth and resultant crestal bone loss. Most studies focus on titanium and zirconium, but provisional restorations are gaining popularity and these materials require further study. Previous in vitro models utilize a monoculture technique to understand cell behavior, which makes direct intercellular comparisons difficult. Our first aim was to develop a co-culture of human gingival fibroblasts and human oral keratinocytes. Then, cell attachment, proliferation, and migration across six commercially available abutment materials was ascertained and comparisons drawn. Discs made of smooth titanium, (control), rough titanium, CAD/CAM poly (methylmethacrylate), poly ether etherketone, smooth zirconium, and rough zirconium were chosen. Preliminary results indicate that at various time points, significant differences in fibroblast and keratinocyte proliferation and attachment exist among abutment materials.