Journal of Isfahan Medical School

Journal of Isfahan Medical School

Evaluation of the Effect of Boron Coating on the Tissue Response of Zirconia Implant Abutments: An In Vitro Study

Document Type : Original Article (s)

Authors
Arash Shisheian 1
Fariborz Vafaee 1
Hamid Esfahani 2
Mohammad Babaei 3
Samira Rezaei Moghaddam 2
Maryam Farhadian 4
Fatemeh Ataei 1
1 Department of Prosthodontics, School of Dentistry, Dental Research center, Hamedan University of Medical Sciences, Iran
2 Department of Materials Engineering, Faculty of Engineering, Bu-Ali Sina University, Hamedan, Iran
3 Department of Basic Science, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Bu-Ali Sina University, Hamedan, Iran
4 Research Center for Health Science, Department of Biostatistics, School of Public Health, Hamedan University of Medical Sciences, Hamedan, Iran
10.48305/jims.v44.i864.0846
Abstract
Background: Zirconia abutments are widely used in dental prosthetics due to their favorable biocompatibility and superior esthetic properties. The present study aimed to evaluate the effect of a boron coating on the tissue response of zirconia implant abutments using an animal model.
Methods: In this experimental study, zirconia abutments with and without a boron coating were implanted in New Zealand rabbits. After a five-week healing period, peri-abutment tissues were harvested and histopathologically evaluated for the number of inflammatory cells, including lymphocytes, macrophages, and neutrophils. The surface morphology and chemical characteristics of the boron coating were assessed using scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS). Data were analyzed using appropriate statistical methods.
Findings: The results demonstrated that the number of lymphocytes in the control group (uncoated abutments) were significantly higher than that in the boron-coated group (P < 0.001). Similarly, the macrophage count was significantly greater in the control group than in the boron-coated group (P < 0.001). In contrast, no statistically significant difference was observed between the two groups in terms of neutrophil count (P = 0.052). These findings indicate enhanced biocompatibility and a potential reduction in risk of peri-implantitis in the boron-coated group.
Conclusion: Boron coating, by enhancing surface properties and reducing inflammatory tissue responses, shows considerable potential as an innovative approach for improving the design of zirconia implant abutments. Further long-term and clinical studies are warranted to confirm and expand upon these findings.
Keywords
Zirconia abutment
Boron coating
Tissue inflammation
Biocompatibility
Peri-implantitis
Subjects
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Journal of Isfahan Medical School
Volume 44, Issue 864
4th Week,July
July and August 2026
Pages 846-853

  • Receive Date 28 June 2026
  • Accept Date 12 July 2026