Cross-sectional analysis of the implant-abutment interface

A. L. Coelho, M. Suzuki, S. Dibart, N. Da Silva, P. G. Coelho

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

Abstract

The purpose of this study was to develop a technique to evaluate the implant-abutment gap of an external hexagon implant system as a function of radius. Six implants of 3·75 mm in diameter (Conexao Sistema de Protese Ltda, Sao Paulo, Brazil) and their respective abutments were screw connected and torqued to 20 N cm-1. The implants were mounted in epoxy assuring an implant long-axis position perpendicular to the vertical axis. Each implant was grounded through its thickness parallel to implant long-axis at six different distance interval. Implant-abutment gap distances were recorded along the implant-abutment region for each section. Individual measurements were related to their radial position through trigonometric inferences. A sixth degree polynomial line fit approach determined radial adaptation patterns for each implant. Micrographs along implant sections showed a approximately 300 μm length implant-abutment engagement region. All implants presented communication between external and internal regions through connection gaps and inaccurate implant-abutment alignment. Average gap distances were not significantly different between implants (P > 0·086). Polynomial lines showed implant-abutment gap values below 10 μm from 0 μm to approximately 250 μm of the implant-abutment engagement region. Gap distances significantly increased from approximately 250 μm to the outer radius of the implant-abutment engagement region. The technique described provided a broader scenario of the implant-abutment gap adaptation compared with previous work concerning implant-abutment gap determination, and should be considered for better understanding mechanical aspects or biological effects of implant-abutment adaptation on peri-implant tissues.

Original languageEnglish (US)
Pages (from-to)508-516
Number of pages9
JournalJournal of oral rehabilitation
Volume34
Issue number7
DOIs
StatePublished - Jul 2007

Keywords

  • Dental implant
  • External hexagon
  • Implant connection
  • Implant-abutment gap
  • Optical microscopy
  • Radial adaptation

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • General Dentistry

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