Esthetic Abutments with Laser-Lok^® Technology

Abutments help establish a biologic connective-tissue seal that protects and maintains the crestal bone and reduces pocket depth.

In highly esthetic zones in both the anterior and posterior, BioHorizons^® Laser-Lok Abutments are used to create natural looking, cement-retained, single-or multiple-unit prostheses by enabling higher crestal bone attachment to implants.¹

This is possible because the abutment margin is enhanced with the patented Laser-Lok surface technol­ogy which has been shown to establish a biologic connective-tissue seal² that protects and maintains the crestal bone and also reduces pocket depth.³ BioHorizons Laser-Lok Esthetic Abut­ments are the only abutments available with a surface technology specifically designed for soft-tissue attachment.

When compared to typical, machined abutments, Laser-Lok Abut­ments have been shown to provide superior peri-implant hard- and soft-tissue healing.¹ In a recent study where Laser-Lok abutments and standard abutments were placed on implants, Laser-Lok abutments were shown to inhibit epithelial downgrowth and establish a soft-tissue attachment above the dental implant/abutment connection. The resulting crestal bone levels were higher with Laser-Lok than with standard abutments.¹

Laser-Lok microchannels are a repeating series of precise cell-sized channels created using laser ablation technology. These microchannels are optimally sized to attach and organize both osteoblasts and fibroblasts.^4,5 This technology creates a complex nanostructure that maximizes surface area and enables cell pseudopodia and collagen microfibrils to interdigitate with the Laser-Lok surface.

BioHorizons offers a broad array of Laser-Lok abutments for a wide range of restorative applications and individual needs. Clinicians can choose prefabricated or patient-specific designs including straight and angled esthetic, simple solutions, custom titanium and titanium bases for hybrid ceramic abutments. Laser-Lok abutments provide options for a one-abutment, one-time protocol as well as delayed protocols. Abutment solutions are available for both the anterior and posterior.

One-Abutment, One-Time Protocol

Laser-Lok Esthetic Abutments can be seated at the time of implant placement (one-stage surgery) or uncovery (two-stage surgery) and remain in place through the final restoration. In either case, immediate temporization guidelines should be followed.

Once the abutment has been placed, mark the areas that require modification (height, margins, etc). Remove the abutment from the mouth and place on a prepping handle using the abutment screw and a 0.050” hex driver. Prepare as needed using a carbide or course diamond bur of choice. Place the prepared abutment in the mouth and check the contours. Refine the preparation as needed. Once the preparation is complete, place the abutment in an ultrasonic cleaner for a minimum of 2 minutes. Torque the abutment screw to 30 Ncm. Place a cotton pellet in the screw access hole and fill with composite. Try in an appropriate polycarbonate/shell crown and modify as needed using conventional crown-and-bridge techniques. Apply a separator to the esthetic abutment, place acrylic inside the shell crown. Properly position over the abutment and perform a reline. Finish any excess acrylic and polish. Adjust the bite so it is out of occlusion and secure using the temporary cement of choice.

During the first restorative visit, remove the temporary crown. Check for any gingival recession and modify the abutment margin intraorally as needed using a coarse diamond bur. Take a conventional crown-and-bridge impression using retraction cord if needed. Replace the temporary crown. Send the case with everything required to the laboratory for fabrication of the final prosthesis. During the final restorative visit, remove the temporary crown. Cement the final restoration using conventional procedures.

References

1. Nevins M, Kim DM, Jun SH, et al. Histologic evidence of a connective tissue attachment to laser microgrooved abutments: a canine study . Int J Periodontics Restorative Dent. 2010;30(3):
245-255.

2. Shapoff CA, B Lahey, P Wasserlauf, Kim D. Radiographic analysis of crestal bone levels on Laser-Lok collar dental implants . Int J Periodontics Restorative Dent. 2010;30(2):
129-137.

3. Pecora GE, Ceccarelli R, Bonelli M, et al. Clinical evaluation of laser microtexturing for soft tissue and bone attachment to dental implants . Implant Dent. 2009;18(1):57-66.

4. Ricci JL, Charvet J, Frenkel SR, et al. Bone response to laser microtextured surfaces. In: Dacies JE, ed. Bone Engineering. Toronto, Canada: Em2 Inc.; 2000.

5. SR Frankel, J Simon, Alexander H, et al. Osseointegration on metallic implant surfaces: effects of microgeometry and growth factor treatment . J Biomed Mater Res. 2002;63
(6):706-713.

For more information, contact:
BioHorizons
Phone: 888-246-8338
Web: www.biohorizons.com

Disclaimer

The preceding material was provided by the manufacturer. The statements and opinions contained therein are solely those of the manufacturer and not of the editors, publisher, or the Editorial Board of Inside Dentistry.