The Effects of Dis/Reconnection of Implant Abutments on Peri-implant Bone Levels

A total of 38 implants were placed in 17 patients with at least 2 missing posterior teeth in the maxilla or the mandible for this study. Each patient received 2 or 4 implants. A definitive prefabricated abutment (test group) was randomly connected to one implant at implant placement (T0) and left undisturbed throughout the duration of the study. On the other implant, a healing abutment (control group) was connected and subjected to go through three disconnections and reconnections at 3 months (T3), 6 months (T6), and 12 months (T12) after the implant placement. Throughout the study period (1 year), all implants remained unrestored. Marginal bone level changes (MBLC) were assessed using standardized periapical radiographs taken at T0 and T12. Peri-implant soft tissue parameters including the keratinized mucosa width and lingual mucosa thickness were also recorded and evaluated.