Comparison of the effects of cement removal from zirconia and titanium abutments: An in vitro study

Statement of problem. Excess cement around dental implants is a significant cause of peri-implant inflammation. Research has focused on approaches to cement removal, the type of cement used, and the different instruments used for cement removal with titanium abutments. However, data comparing zirconia with titanium abutments are lacking. Purpose. The purpose of this in vitro study was to compare the effectiveness of excess cement removal from zirconia and titanium custom abutments using an explorer and to compare the effects of cement removal on the abutment surfaces. Material and methods. Implant analogs were placed in a cast in the position of the 2 maxillary central incisors. After creating similar emergence profiles for both the implant abutments, 18 zirconia and titanium custom abutments were fabricated with 1-mm subgingival finish lines on the facial and interproximal areas and an equigingival finish line on the palatal side. The crowns were cemented with zinc oxide-eugenol cement, and a steel explorer was used to remove the excess cement. All abutments were analyzed under a scanning electron microscope for cement remnants and scratches. Results. The mean surface area of cement remnants on the zirconia abutments was 778 +/- 113 mu m(2 )and for titanium abutments, it was 1123 +/- 252 mu m(2), which in terms of the mean percentage area was 3.27% of the total surface area of zirconia and 4.71% of titanium abutments. Only a few abutments from each group showed scratches, and no deep scratches or gouges were observed. Conclusions. Zirconia and titanium abutments had statistically similar cement remnants. Scratches were observed on only a few specimens.