Comparative evaluation of the efficiency of different decontamination protocols for reusing healing abutments: An in...

Healing abutments are subjected to multiple cycles of reuse owing to the limited wear and tear experienced in function. The study undertaken focuses on drawing a comparative evaluation amongst two decontamination protocols for reusing healing abutments.

A total of 85 healing abutments were divided into 3 groups. Group 1 contained 5 unused healing abutments. Group 2 contained 40 used healing abutments which were subjected to ultrasonic cleaning followed by autoclaving. Group 3 also contained 40 used healing abutments which were subjected to decontamination using NaOCl followed by ultrasonic cleaning followed by autoclaving. Healing abutments from all 3 groups were then individually stained with Phloxine B stain for a duration of 1 min and were individually observed under 10X Stereomicroscope for traces of staining which indicated residual contamination.

ANOVA test and chi-square test were employed to statistically analyze the 3 groups using SPSS software.

The difference between the 3 groups was statistically significant (p < 0.001) with a chi-Square value of 85 %. Intergroup Comparison of mean rank showed statistically significant difference between the groups (Kruskal Wallis ANOVA, p < 0.001). Groups 1 and 3 did not display any evidence of staining with Phloxine B indicating no residual contamination, whereas all samples belonging to Group 2 displayed biological remnants as evidenced by the presence of staining.

Cleaning of used healing abutments using Sodium hypochlorite followed by ultrasonic cleaning and autoclaving shows greater efficiency in ensuring complete decontamination of used healing abutments as compared to ultrasonic cleaning and autoclaving.