OBJECTIVES: This study evaluated the 2-year clinical and radiographic performance of NobelBiocare ceramic abutments for single implant-reconstructions. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Thirty one consecutive patients were treated with 34 anterior maxillary single implant supported prosthesis using Procera Ceramic Abutment Al. Procera All-Ceram crowns were cemented with zinc-phosphate cement. All restorations were supported by NobelBiocareŽ Regular Platform implants with a 3.75 mm diameter. At the 1- and 2- year examinations, radiographic and clinical evaluations were performed, including criteria for failure/success, the soft tissue reactions toward the ceramic abutments and patient satisfaction. RESULTS: All but 1 of the 31 patients with 33 restorations could be evaluated at 1 and 2 year. One of the implants was lost during the first year due to loss of osseointegration. Soft tissue conditions around the remaining implant-supported restorations were considered healthy in all re-examined patients. There was no bleeding on probing, and the marginal mucosa exhibited no signs of inflammation. Over the 2-year period after abutment installation, i.e. from baseline registration, there was only minor deterioration in marginal bone levels as measured on standardized intra-oral radiographs: the mean bone loss in mm was -0.09 (SD 0.2) in the first year and -0.2 (SD 0.4) at the two-year control. In 4 restorations complications were observed, none of which were related to the ceramic abutments. Except for these 4 cases, all patients were satisfied with the esthetics, the functional outcome and the overall treatment. CONCLUSION: For an observation period of 2 years, the ceramic abutments offered an acceptable treatment modality to support implant-supported single tooth reconstructions in the anterior part of the maxilla. The soft and hard tissue reactions toward Procera Ceramic Abutment Al were favorable.

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