In-Vitro Study of the Contamination Remaining on Used Healing Abutments after Cleaning and Sterilizing in Dental Practice

Abstract

Background: Reuse or “recycle” of dental implant healing abutments in clinical practice is common, primarily for economic rational. Purpose: To determine of this practice results in reuse of components that carry with them some degree of contamination between patients, even following thorough cleaning and sterilization. Materials and Methods: One hundred healing abutments were collected from eight clinicians following patient use. The abutments were cleaned, sterilized, and then collected. The samples were treated with a protein specific stain (Phloxine B), and photographed. Results: Ninety-nine percent of the abutments showed protein contamination at one or more sites following cleaning and sterilization. Conclusion: Reuse of healing abutments between patients should be reevaluated in light of this data.