Effect of Antimicrobial Agent Coating on Physicochemical and Biologic Properties of Implant Abutments: A Systematic Review.

This systematic review evaluates the effectiveness of antimicrobial agent coatings on dental implant abutments and their impact on the physicochemical and biologic properties of these materials. Eight in vitro studies involving coatings such as silver, graphene oxide, polydopamine, titanium and zirconium nitride, lactoferrin, tetracycline, and doxycycline demonstrated antimicrobial activity against various pathogenic microorganisms, including Streptococcus mutans, Porphyromonas gingivalis, and Staphylococcus aureus, without significant cytotoxicity. Coatings influenced surface characteristics like roughness and wettability, and some, such as titanium-coated silver, showed sustained antimicrobial release up to 28 days. While no consensus exists on the optimal antimicrobial agent or coating material, the findings support the feasibility of antimicrobial coatings to reduce biofilm formation and peri-implant infections, highlighting the need for long-term clinical studies to confirm these in vitro results.