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The effect of zirconia and titanium implant abutments on light reflection of the supporting soft tissues
Ralph van Brakel1, Herke Jan Noordmans1, Joost Frenken1
1Department of Oral-Maxillofacial Surgery, Prosthodontics and Special Dental Care, University Medical Centre, Utrecht, The NetherlandsDepartment of Medical Technology, University Medical Center, Utrecht, The NetherlandsDepartment of Oral-Maxillofacial Surgery, Prosthodontics and Special Dental Care, St Antonius Hospital, Nieuwegein, The NetherlandsBartiméus, Zeist, The NetherlandsDepartment of Fixed and Removable Prosthodontics, University Medical Center Groningen/Center for Dentistry and Oral Hygiene, Groningen, The Netherlands.
Objectives:
To determine the difference in light reflection of oral mucosa covering titanium (Ti) or zirconia (ZrO(2)) abutments as it relates to the thickness of the covering mucosa.
Material And Methods:
Fifteen anterior implants (Astra Osseo speed(®)) in 11 patients were fitted with a Ti or a ZrO(2) abutment (cross-over, within-subject comparison). Hyper-spectral images were taken with a camera fitted on a surgical microscope. High-resolution images with 70 nm interval between 440 and 720 nm were obtained within 30 s (1392 × 1024 pixels). Black- and white-point reference was used for spatial and spectral normalization as well as correction for motion during exposure. Reflection spectra were extracted from the image on a line mid-buccal of the implant, starting 1 mm above the soft tissue continuing up to 3 mm apically.
Results:
Median soft tissue height is 2.3 mm (min: 1.2 mm and max: 3.1 mm). The buccal mucosa rapidly increases in the thickness, when moving apically. At 2.2 mm, thickness is 3 mm. No perceivable difference between the Ti and ZrO(2) abutment can be observed when the thickness of the mucosa is 2±0.1 mm (95% confidence interval) or more.
Conclusion:
It is expected that the difference in light reflection of soft tissue covering Ti or ZrO(2) abutments is no longer noticeable for the human eye when the mucosa thickness exceeds 2 mm. Haemoglobin peaks in the reflection spectrum can be observed and make hyper-spectral imaging a practical and useful tool for measuring soft tissue health.
