ABSTRACT
Novel biomaterials such as ceramics and polymers have been introduced in prosthetic implant dentistry offering other properties than those of titanium abutments. There is a concern in the guarantee of a long-term tissue stability to maintain the peri-mucosal seal, such as the cell biocompatibility and adhesion, and the inhibition of biofilm formation around implant-abutments. The aim of this review was to explore the state of art on the biological behaviors of different abutment materials, namely/titanium, zirconia, and Polyetheretherketone (PEEK). Titanium, as the “gold-standard” in oral implantology, is the most widely investigated biomaterial. Nevertheless, in the last decades, zirconia has emerged in the prostheses field as a promising esthetic biomaterial with mechanical properties similar to titanium. In the articles revised in this study, the authors were unable to identify which material presents the most convenient biological behaviors since different methodologies and inconsistent outcomes were found. Further studies should compare biological behavior on titanium, zirconia and PEEK abutments to stablish the specific clinical application and the advantages and disadvantages of each biomaterial.
