The Reuse of Healing Abutments: A Questionnaire-Based Survey.

Healing abutments (HA) are used in second-stage implant surgery to create the optimal peri-implant environment. Despite being a component intended only for short-term use, it remains in the mouth for a few weeks to several months and stays in close contact with organic debris, intraoral fluids, and bacteria. Reusing the HAs modifies their surfaces, expands the coating layer's porosity, and promotes bacterial colonization at the HA-implant interface in addition to the previous contamination.