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Effect of Cover Screws and Healing Abutments on Marginal Bone Loss

Comparison of Cover Screws and Healing Abutments During Implant Placement on Marginal Bone Loss: A Randomized Clinical Trial

Status
Active, not recruiting
Phases
Unknown
Study type
Interventional
Source
ClinicalTrials.gov
Registry ID
NCT07815977
Enrollment
50
Registered
2026-09-11
Start date
2026-01-15
Completion date
2026-09-17
Last updated
2026-09-11

For informational purposes only — not medical advice. Sourced from public registries and may not reflect the latest updates. Terms

Conditions

Dental Implant, Marginal Bone Loss

Keywords

Dental Implants, Marginal Bone Loss, Cover Screw, Healing Abutment, Peri-Implant Bone

Brief summary

This randomized clinical trial aims to compare the effects of using a cover screw or a healing abutment during dental implant placement on short-term marginal bone loss. Participants receiving dental implants will be randomly assigned to either the cover screw group or the healing abutment group. Marginal bone levels around the implants will be evaluated radiographically at baseline and at the 3-month follow-up. The study aims to determine whether the healing approach used at the time of implant placement affects marginal bone level changes during the early healing period.

Detailed description

Preservation of peri-implant marginal bone is an important factor for the long-term success of dental implants. Following implant placement, different healing approaches can be used. In submerged healing, a cover screw is placed and the implant remains beneath the soft tissue during the healing period. In transmucosal healing, a healing abutment is connected to the implant and extends through the soft tissue during healing. This randomized clinical trial compares the short-term effects of these two healing approaches on peri-implant marginal bone levels. Eligible participants undergoing dental implant treatment will be randomly allocated to either the cover screw group or the healing abutment group. Peri-implant marginal bone levels will be assessed using periapical radiographs obtained with the paralleling technique at baseline and at the 3-month follow-up. Marginal bone level changes from baseline to 3 months will be measured radiographically and compared between the two groups. The primary objective is to determine whether the use of a cover screw or a healing abutment at the time of implant placement affects marginal bone loss during the early healing period.

Interventions

A cover screw is connected to the dental implant at the time of implant placement

A healing abutment is connected to the dental implant at the time of implant

Sponsors

Adiyaman University
Lead SponsorOTHER

Study design

Allocation
RANDOMIZED
Intervention model
PARALLEL
Primary purpose
TREATMENT
Masking
NONE

Masking description

No masking was applied because the type of healing approach (cover screw or healing abutment) could be identified during clinical and radiographic assessment.

Intervention model description

Participants are randomly assigned to one of two parallel groups: a cover screw (submerged healing) group or a healing abutment (transmucosal healing) group. Peri-implant marginal bone level changes are evaluated radiographically over a 3-month follow-up period.

Eligibility

Sex/Gender
ALL
Age
18 Years to 65 Years
Healthy volunteers
Yes

Inclusion criteria

* Age between 18 and 65 years * Systemically healthy individuals * Non-smokers * Adequate alveolar bone height and width for implant placement without the -need for bone augmentation or regenerative procedures * Adequate keratinized mucosal width (\>2 mm) at the planned implant site * Indication for dental implant treatment

Exclusion criteria

* Presence of systemic disease or medical conditions that may contraindicate -implant surgery or affect bone healing * Current smoking or use of tobacco products * Insufficient alveolar bone height or width requiring bone augmentation or regenerative procedures at the implant site * Keratinized mucosal width ≤2 mm at the planned implant site * Presence of conditions that preclude standard dental implant placement * Inability or unwillingness to attend the 3-month follow-up visit

Design outcomes

Primary

MeasureTime frameDescription
Change in Peri-Implant Marginal Bone LevelBaseline and 3 months after implant placementPeri-implant marginal bone levels will be measured on periapical radiographs obtained using the paralleling technique. The distance from the implant reference point to the marginal bone level will be measured in millimeters at the mesial and distal aspects of each implant. Marginal bone level change will be determined by comparing the baseline measurement with the 3-month measurement.

Countries

Turkey (Türkiye)

Outcome results

None listed

Source: ClinicalTrials.gov · Data processed: Sep 12, 2026