The impact of implant abutment surface treatment with TiO2 on peri-implant levels of angiogenesis and bone-related markers: a randomized clinical trial.

The goal of this randomized, blinded, split-mouth controlled clinical trial was to assess the influence of abutment surface treatment on tissue healing. Fifteen patients received two implants distributed randomly to two groups: test (TiO2 abutment surface), control (standard abutment surface). Levels of epidermal growth factor (EGF), bone morphogenetic protein 9 (BMP-9), endothelin 1 (ET-1), fibroblast growth factor (FGF), placental growth factor (PlGF), and vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) were quantified in the peri-implant fluid after 3, 14, 30, and 60 days. Inter-group comparisons indicated higher levels of EGF, BMP-9, ET-1, FGF, and PlGF in the test group after 30days (P<0.05). PlGF levels were also higher in the test group after 60 days. In the test group, intra-group analysis revealed different levels of ET-1 and FGF between days 3 and 30, and days 3 and 60 (P<0.05); furthermore, VEGF levels were significantly higher on day 60 than on day 3 (P <0.05). In the control group, intra-group analysis demonstrated significantly different levels of ET-1, FGF, and PlGF between days 3 and 60 and of PlGF between days 14 and 60 (P<0.05). In conclusion, abutment surfaces treated with TiO2 influenced the levels of angiogenesis and bone-related markers.