Abrasion of surface components in endosseous implants depending on their shape and coating.

To investigate titanium surface abrasion of dental implants by mere insertion into the bone, we tested 20 implants of different shape, surface, and length. Under in vitro conditions, it could be proved that longer implants had more abrasion than cylindric implants, that screw implants had more abrasion than cylindric implants, that carved threads caused less abrasion than uncarved ones, and that plasma-flame-coated implants had more abrasion than implants with polished surfaces. Possible causes of the metal abrasion are discussed.