A Controlled, Double-Blind, Randomized, Parallel-Arm, Clinical Trial to Evaluate the Effectiveness of Laser-Ablated Implant-Abutments for Enhanced Oral Mucosal Healing

The study will assess the integrity of the peri-implant oral soft-tissue attachment to implant abutments by comparing tissue responses to a laser-ablated implant-abutment and an implant-abutment manufactured with a smooth surface. Investigators will assess the initial post-surgical peri-implant attachment-seal and will test whether or not the tissue-abutment interface re-forms with equal integrity when the abutment is removed and replaced with a new abutment. Data will include histological, radiographic, clinical, and subjective aesthetics to compare the effectiveness of two abutment designs. Both devices are supplied by the BioHorizons Implant Systems Inc. of Birmingham, Alabama; the abutments are analogous in design and material except the test device has a laser-ablated surface and the control abutment is smooth.