Influence of oral mechanical and biological factors in altering the scannable accuracy of coded healing abutments at different time periods in comparison with implant scan body - A randomised controlled trial accuracy of coded healing abutments at different time periods in comparison with implant scan body – A randomised controlled trial

Scannable healing abutments are advanced dental implant components designed with specific surface codes or unique anatomical shapes which allow them to be detected directly by intraoral scanners. This enables accurate digital capture of implant position, size, and orientation without the need to remove and replace the abutment for separate scan bodies or impression components. Integrating these abutments into the treatment workflow not only helps shape and maintain the soft tissue contour during the healing phase, but also supports a precise and efficient transition to digital impressions. The result is an accelerated, more accurate, and more comfortable clinical procedure for both patient and clinician. Scannable healing abutments minimize the risk of distortion typical of traditional impressions, reduce the number of necessary appointments, and allow seamless CAD CAM fabrication of prosthetic components.

As the use of digital workflows in implant dentistry becomes increasingly prevalent, scannable healing abutments have been widely adopted for guided surgery and fully digital restorative protocols. Their use allows practitioners to eliminate the repeated disconnection and reconnection of abutments. These practices that may otherwise risk soft tissue or bone disturbance.

However, clinical observations and studies have highlighted some challenges with these abutments. When left intraorally for extended periods, scannable healing abutments are prone to the accumulation of plaque and calculus as well as adherence of biological debris. Upon removal, these abutments frequently display visible scratches and areas of discoloration. These surface alterations may result from daily oral function, mechanical wear, and the exposure to oral fluids and microbial biofilms. While scannable healing abutments are intended to simplify digital impressions and optimize soft tissue outcomes, it remains unclear whether such surface changes compromise the accuracy of digital scans.

Crucially, there is limited research exploring how nonfunctional loading, plaque accumulation, and surface modifications during intraoral use might alter the clinical performance of scannable healing abutments. Understanding these aspects is important to ensure that the long term accuracy of digital impressions is maintained and that optimal restorative outcomes can be consistently achieved. Further studies are needed to clarify the impact of these surface changes and to establish best practices.