Reuse of Implant Healing Abutments: Comparative Evaluation of the Efficacy of Two Cleaning Procedures

PURPOSE: To compare the efficacy of two systems in cleaning used healing abutments (HAs). MATERIALS AND METHODS: A total of 60 used HAs were randomized into two groups: one treated with an automatic cleaning system, and the other with conventional decontamination procedures. After sterilization and staining, the HAs were microscopically analyzed and underwent a cellular adhesion in vitro assay. RESULTS: Contaminated areas were observed with different frequencies in the two groups (3.6% test; 78.2% control; P < .001). In vitro assay showed a uniform cell distribution in test HAs, while areas of debris without adhering cells were a common finding in the control HAs. CONCLUSION: Further studies investigating the chemical composition and clinical influence of biologic remnants are necessary before considering reusing HAs.