Initial situation
In March 2019 a systemically healthy 51-year-old man presented at our dental clinic specialized in dental surgery, referred by a colleague. The medical history was unremarkable and the clinical and radiological assessments showed a bilateral agenesis of the upper canines (Figs. 1-4). The aesthetic and functional need of the patient directed us towards a treatment plan aimed at replacing the missing teeth with an implant-prosthetic rehabilitation, through two crowns screwed into the tooth positions 13 and 23. The patient reported adequate hygiene and great motivation in restoring the harmony of his smile.
Procedure
Treatment planning
The choice to use the new Straumann Ceramic Healing Abutments (Fig. 5) was dictated by the well-known biocompatibility of this material. The Zirconia great antibacterial properties predispose it to be a potentially ideal material in post-surgical healing, where microbial contamination can often invalidate the success of the intervention. In fact, thanks to its smooth surface, the accumulation of plaque can be significantly reduced, favoring the formation of a new peri-implant attachment.
The novelty lies in the fact that it is no longer only the prosthetic part that is created in Zirconia, but also the healing abutment. This could be a considerable help especially when the keratinized tissue around the implant needs to be increased, as the Ceramic Healing Abutment promotes the development of healthy mucosa around the implant.