PURPOSE: The purpose of this study was to evaluate the resistance to deformation under static overloading by measuring yield and fracture strength, and to analyze the failure characteristics of implant assemblies made of different titanium grades and connections. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Six groups of implant assemblies were fabricated according to ISO 14801 (n=10). These consisted of the combinations of 3 platform connections (external, internal, and morse tapered) and 2 materials (titanium grade 2 and titanium grade 4). Yield strength and fracture strength were evaluated with a computer-controlled Universal Testing Machine, and failed implant assemblies were classified and analyzed by optical microscopy. The data were analyzed using the One-way analysis of variance (ANOVA) and Student's t-test with the level of significance at P=.05. RESULTS: The group IT4S had the significantly highest values and group IT2 the lowest, for both yield strength and fracture strength. Groups IT4N and ET4 had similar yield and fracture strengths despite having different connection designs. Group MT2 and group IT2 had significant differences in yield and fracture strength although they were made by the same material as titanium grade 2. The implant system of the similar fixture-abutment interfaces and the same materials showed the similar characteristics of deformation. CONCLUSION: A longer internal connection and titanium grade 4 of the implant system is advantageous for static overloading condition. However, it is not only the connection design that affects the stability. The strength of the titanium grade as material is also important since it affects the implant stability. When using the implant system made of titanium grade 2, a larger diameter fixture should be selected in order to provide enough strength to withstand overloading.
Dental Implant-Abutment Design ; Microscopy ; Titanium*

An increasing number of implant restoration abutment types are produced with the rapid development of dental implantology. Although various abutments can meet different clinical demands, the selection of the appropriate abutment is both difficult and confusing. This article aims to help clinicians select the appropriate abutment by describing abutment design, types, and selection criteria.
Dental Abutments ; Dental Implant-Abutment Design ; Dental Implants ; Humans ; Tooth

PURPOSE: The purpose of this study was to analyze the influence of the platform switching concept on an implant system and peri-implant bone using three-dimensional finite element analysis. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Two three-dimensional finite element models for wide platform and platform switching were created. In the wide platform model, a wide platform abutment was connected to a wide platform implant. In the platform switching model, the wide platform abutment of the wide platform model was replaced by a regular platform abutment. A contact condition was set between the implant components. A vertical load of 300 N was applied to the crown. The maximum von Mises stress values and displacements of the two models were compared to analyze the biomechanical behavior of the models. RESULTS: In the two models, the stress was mainly concentrated at the bottom of the abutment and the top surface of the implant in both models. However, the von Mises stress values were much higher in the platform switching model in most of the components, except for the bone. The highest von Mises values and stress distribution pattern of the bone were similar in the two models. The components of the platform switching model showed greater displacement than those of the wide platform model. CONCLUSION: Due to the stress concentration generated in the implant and the prosthodontic components of the platform switched implant, the mechanical complications might occur when platform switching concept is used.
Crowns ; Dental Implant-Abutment Design ; Dental Implants ; Finite Element Analysis*

PURPOSE: This study is aimed to assess changes of stress distribution dependent on different connection lengths and placement of the fixture top relative to the ridge crest. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The internal-conical connection implant which has a hexagonal anti-rotation index was used for FEM analysis on stress distribution in accordance with connection length of fixture-abutment. Different connection lengths of 2.5 mm, 3.5 mm, and 4.5 mm were designed respectively with the top of the fixture flush with residual ridge crest level, or 2 mm above. Therefore, a total of 6 models were made for the FEM analysis. The load was 170 N and 30-degree tilted. RESULTS: In all cases, the maximum von Mises stress was located adjacent to the top portion of the fixture and ridge crest in the bone. The longer the connection length was, the lower the maximum von Mises stress was in the fixture, abutment, screw and bone. The reduction rate of the maximum von Mises stress depending on increased connection length was greater in the case of the fixture top at 2 mm above the ridge crest versus flush with the ridge crest. CONCLUSION: It was found that the longer the connection length, the lower the maximum von Mises stress appears. Furthermore, it will help prevent mechanical or biological complications of implants.
Dental Implant-Abutment Design ; Dental Stress Analysis ; Finite Element Analysis

PURPOSE: The purpose of this study was to achieve more retention and stability and to delay or prevent screw loosening. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Twenty implants (Implantium 3.4 mm, Dentium, Seoul, Korea) were divided into 2 groups (n = 20). In the first group, an adhesive material was applied around the screw of the abutments (test group). In the second group, the screws are soaked in saliva (control group). All the screws were torqued under 30 N/cm, Then, the samples were gone through a cyclic fatigue loading process. After cyclic loading, we detorqued screws and calculated detorque value. RESULTS: In comparison with the control group, all the implant screws in the test group were smeared with the adhesive material, showing significant higher detorque value. CONCLUSION: There are significantly higher detorque values in the group with adhesive. It is recommended to make biocompatible adhesive to reduce screw loosening.
Adhesives* ; Dental Implant-Abutment Design ; Dental Implants ; Fatigue ; Saliva ; Seoul

Dental Bonding ; Dental Implant-Abutment Design ; Humans ; Matrix Metalloproteinases

PURPOSE: To evaluate the axial displacement of implant-abutment assembly after cyclic loading in internal tapered connection system. MATERIALS AND METHODS: External butt-joint connection implant and internal tapered connection implant were connected with three types of abutment for cement-retained prostheses, i.e. external type abutment (Ext group), internal tapered 1-piece abutment (Int-1 group), and internal tapered 2-piece abutment (Int-2 group). For each group, 7 implants and abutments were used. The implantabutments assemblies were clamped into the implant holder for vertical loads. A dynamic cyclic loading was applied for 150 +/- 10 N at a frequency of 4 Hz. The amount of axial displacement of the abutment into the implant was calculated at each cycle of 0, 5, 10, 50, 100, 1,000, 5,000, and 10,000. A repeated measures analysis of variance (ANOVA) for the overall effect of cyclic loading and the pattern analysis by linear mixed model were used for statistical analysis. Differences at P<.05 were considered statistically significant. RESULTS: The mean axial displacement after 10,000 cycles were 0.714 +/- 0.488 microm in Ext group, 5.286 +/- 1.604 microm in Int-1 group, and 11.429 +/- 1.902 microm in Int-2 group. In the pattern analysis, Int-1 and Int-2 group showed continuous axial displacement at 10,000 cycles. There was no declining pattern of axial displacement in the Ext group. CONCLUSION: The pattern of linear mixed model in Ext group showed no axial displacement. There were continuous axial displacements in abutment-implant assemblies in the Int-1 and Int-2 group at 10,000 cycles. More axial displacement was found in Int-2 group than in Int-1 group.
Dental Implant-Abutment Design ; Pilot Projects* ; Prostheses and Implants*

PURPOSE: This in vitro study aimed to evaluate the effect of implant connection design (external vs. internal) on the fit discrepancy and torque loss of zirconia and titanium abutments. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Two regular platform dental implants, one with external connection (Brånemark, Nobel Biocare AB) and the other with internal connection (Noble Replace, Nobel Biocare AB), were selected. Seven titanium and seven customized zirconia abutments were used for each connection design. Measurements of geometry, marginal discrepancy, and rotational freedom were done using video measuring machine. To measure the torque loss, each abutment was torqued to 35 Ncm and then opened by means of a digital torque wrench. Data were analyzed with two-way ANOVA and t-test at α=0.05 of significance. RESULTS: There were significant differences in the geometrical measurements and rotational freedom between abutments of two connection groups (P<.001). Also, the results showed significant differences between titanium abutments of internal and external connection implants in terms of rotational freedom (P<.001). Not only customized internal abutments but also customized external abutments did not have the exact geometry of prefabricated abutments (P<.001). However, neither connection type (P=.15) nor abutment material (P=.38) affected torque loss. CONCLUSION: Abutments with internal connection showed less rotational freedom. However, better marginal fit was observed in externally connected abutments. Also, customized abutments with either connection could not duplicate the exact geometry of their corresponding prefabricated abutment. However, neither abutment connection nor material affected torque loss values.
Dental Implant-Abutment Design ; Dental Implants ; Freedom ; In Vitro Techniques ; Titanium* ; Torque*

PURPOSE: The aim of the present study was to evaluate if a smaller morse taper abutment has a negative effect on the fracture resistance of implant-abutment connections under oblique compressive loads compared to a conventional abutment. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Twenty morse taper conventional abutments (4.8 mm diameter) and smaller abutments (3.8 mm diameter) were tightened (20 Ncm) to their respective implants (3.5 x 11 mm) and after a 10 minute interval, implant/abutment assemblies were subjected to static compressive test, performed in a universal test machine with 1 mm/min displacement, at 45degrees inclination. The maximum deformation force was determined. Data were statistically analyzed by student t test. RESULTS: Maximum deformation force of 4.8 mm and 3.8 mm abutments was approximately 95.33 kgf and 95.25 kgf, respectively, but no fractures were noted after mechanical test. Statistical analysis demonstrated that the evaluated abutments were statistically similar (P=.230). CONCLUSION: Abutment measuring 3.8 mm in diameter (reduced) presented mechanical properties similar to 4.8 mm (conventional) abutments, enabling its clinical use as indicated.
Benzeneacetamides ; Collodion ; Compressive Strength ; Dental Implant-Abutment Design ; Dental Implants ; Displacement (Psychology) ; Humans ; Piperidones

Alveolar Bone Loss ; etiology ; prevention & control ; Dental Implant-Abutment Design ; methods ; Dental Implants ; adverse effects ; Humans