The association of clinical and microbiologic parameters with histologic observations in relatively healthy peri-implant conditions- a preliminary short-term in vivo study.

PURPOSE: To determine whether clinical findings-bleeding on probing, pocket depth, recession, and bacterial sampling-correlate with histologic outcomes in relatively healthy peri-implant soft tissues in people.

MATERIALS AND METHODS: In this cross-sectional study, a convenience sample of 20 edentulous subjects received two endosseous mandibular implants each. The abutments were either zirconia (ZrO₂) or titanium (Ti) (nonsubmerged implant placement, within-subject comparison, leftright randomization). Sulcular bacterial sampling and assessment of probing pocket depth, recession, and bleeding on probing were performed 3 months postsurgery. Mucosal biopsy specimens were obtained, and the blood vessel density and a score on an inflammation grading scale were determined.

RESULTS: Simple linear and linear regression models revealed that the clinical or microbiologic parameters were not associated with either of the histologic parameters. The soft tissues impressed as healthy, regardless of the abutment material.

CONCLUSIONS: The peri-implant mucosa around ZrO₂and Ti abutments was considered healthy in most situations when examined histologically after 3 months but showed variation in clinical and microbiologic parameters.