Purpose: To compare the efficacy of two systems in cleaning used healing abutments (HAs).
Materials and Methods: A total of 60 used HAs were randomized into two groups: one treated with an automatic cleaning system, and the other with conventional decontamination procedures. After sterilization and staining, the HAs were microscopically analyzed and underwent a cellular adhesion in vitro assay.
Results: Contaminated areas were observed with different frequencies in the two groups (3.6% test; 78.2% control; P < .001). In vitro assay showed a uniform cell distribution in test HAs, while areas of debris without adhering cells were a common finding in the control HAs.
Conclusion: Further studies investigating the chemical composition and clinical influence of biologic remnants are necessary before considering reusing HAs.