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The establishment and maintenance of a soft tissue seal around the transmucosal part of an implant (i.e. the abutment) is vital for implant treatment success. The formation of the soft tissue barrier around the abutment is fundamentally a result of wound healing.
Thus, during healing a barrier epithelium will form adjacent to the abutment and, apical to this epithelium, a zone of connective tissue will form and attach to the titanium surface on the abutment to protect the underlying bone tissue. The barrier epithelium and the connective tissue–implant interface will consequently establish a certain biological width of the peri-implant mucosa.
It is important that this process takes place undisturbed, without micro-movements and micro-leakage in the abutment-implant connection, since this will disturb the healing process and compromise the long- term result.
Initial bone healing and long-term marginal bone stability are affected by the implant design and surface properties. Optimal biomechanical and biochemical stimuli from the implant surface are of utmost importance for the bone healing process.
The long-term marginal bone stability is primarily dependent on biomechanical stimulation from the implant, particularly around the implant neck. This means that a successful clinical result, in both a short- and long-term perspective, is related to the features of an implant.
Failing to control these factors may cause problems such as black triangles between teeth and, in a worst case scenario, the implant might be lost. Infection or irritation of the soft tissue can also disturb the healing process and the long term result. These problems might be caused by factors not related to the implant as such, but to a lack of maintenance and care by the patient or by his or her general health status. Very often, the problems are caused by the same factors or circumstances that led to the initial tooth loss.
Our way of safeguarding a reliable, predictable and esthetic result both in the short- and long-term, is with the Astra Tech BioManagement Complex™. This is a unique combination of the following features:
• OsseoSpeed™
• MicroThread™
• Conical Seal Design™
• Connective Contour™
The unique soft tissue seal on the abutment level, together with well-calculated biomechanical interactions with the bone around the implant neck, ensure optimal conditions for the bone. The load distribution and the lack of micro-movements and micro-leakage are the main reasons for maintained healthy peri-implant tissues and preserved marginal bone levels.
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