Fracture Resistance of Zirconia Abutments with or without a Titanium Base: An In Vitro Study for Tapered Conical Connection Implants.

Dental implants with tapered conical connections are often combined with zirconia abutments for esthetics; however, the effect of the titanium base on the implant components remains unclear. This study evaluated the effects of a titanium base on the fracture resistance of zirconia abutments and damage to the tapered conical connection implants. Zirconia (Z) and titanium base zirconia (ZT) abutments were fastened to Nobel Biocare (NB) implants and Straumann (ST) implants and subjected to static load testing according to ISO 14801:2016. The experiments were performed with 3 mm of the platform exposed (P3) and no platform exposed (P0). The fracture loads were statistically greater in the titanium base abutments than the zirconia abutments for the NB and ST specimens in the P0 condition. In the P3 condition of the ST specimens, the deformation volume of the ZT group was significantly greater than the Z group. The titanium base increased the fracture resistance of the zirconia abutments. Additionally, the titanium base caused more deformation in the P3 condition. The implant joint design may also affect the amount of damage to the implants when under a load. The mechanical properties of the abutment should be considered when selecting a clinical design.

In vitro fatigue tests and in silico finite element analysis of dental implants with different fixture/abutment joint types using computer-aided design models.

PURPOSE: The aim of this study was to evaluate fatigue resistance of dental fixtures with two different fixture-abutment connections by in vitro fatigue testing and in silico three-dimensional finite element analysis (3D FEA) using original computer-aided design (CAD) models. METHODS: Dental implant fixtures with external connection (EX) or internal connection (IN) abutments were fabricated from original CAD models using grade IV titanium and step-stress accelerated life testing was performed. Fatigue cycles and loads were assessed by Weibull analysis, and fatigue cracking was observed by micro-computed tomography and a stereomicroscope with high dynamic range software. Using the same CAD models, displacement vectors of implant components were also analyzed by 3D FEA. Angles of the fractured line occurring at fixture platforms in vitro and of displacement vectors corresponding to the fractured line in silico were compared by two-way ANOVA. RESULTS: Fatigue testing showed significantly greater reliability for IN than EX (p<0.001). Fatigue crack initiation was primarily observed at implant fixture platforms. FEA demonstrated that crack lines of both implant systems in vitro were observed in the same direction as displacement vectors of the implant fixtures in silico. CONCLUSIONS: In silico displacement vectors in the implant fixture are insightful for geometric development of dental implants to reduce complex interactions leading to fatigue failure.

Influence of Implant Length and Diameter, Bicortical Anchorage, and Sinus Augmentation on Bone Stress Distribution: Three-Dimensional Finite Element Analysis.

PURPOSE: Clarification of the protocol for using short implants is required to enable widespread use of short implants as an available treatment option. The purpose of this study was to investigate the influences of implant length and diameter, bicortical anchorage, and sinus augmentation on peri-implant cortical bone stress by three-dimensional finite element analysis. MATERIALS AND METHODS: For bone models with bone quantity A and C in the maxillary molar region, three-dimensional finite element analysis was performed using different lengths and diameters of implant computer-aided design models, and the degree of maximum principal stress distribution for each model was calculated. RESULTS: For bone quantity A models, the degree of stress distribution of the 4-mm-diameter, 6-mm-length implant was the greatest. For bone quantity C models, the degree of stress distribution of the 5-mm-diameter, 6-mm-length implant with bicortical anchorage was much smaller than that for the 4-mm-diameter, 13-mm-length implant with sinus augmentation. CONCLUSION: The results of this study suggest that 6-mm-length implants should be selected in cases with bone quantity C where the bone width permits increasing implant diameter from 4 mm to 5 mm.

Effects of the implant design on peri-implant bone stress and abutment micromovement: three-dimensional finite element analysis of original computer-aided design models.

BACKGROUND: Occlusal overloading causes peri-implant bone resorption. Previous studies examined stress distribution in alveolar bone around commercial implants using three-dimensional (3D) finite element analysis. However, the commercial implants contained some different designs. The purpose of this study is to reveal the effect of the target design on peri-implant bone stress and abutment micromovement. METHODS: Six 3D implant models were created for different implant-abutment joints: 1) internal joint model (IM); 2) external joint model (EM); 3) straight abutment (SA) shape; 4) tapered abutment (TA) shapes; 5) platform switching (PS) in the IM; and 6) modified TA neck design (reverse conical neck [RN]). A static load of 100 N was applied to the basal ridge surface of the abutment at a 45-degree oblique angle to the long axis of the implant. Both stress distribution in peri-implant bone and abutment micromovement in the SA and TA models were analyzed. RESULTS: Compressive stress concentrated on labial cortical bone and tensile stress on the palatal side in the EM and on the labial side in the IM. There was no difference in maximum principal stress distribution for SA and TA models. Tensile stress concentration was not apparent on labial cortical bone in the PS model (versus IM). Maximum principal stress concentrated more on peri-implant bone in the RN than in the TA model. The TA model exhibited less abutment micromovement than the SA model. CONCLUSION: This study reveals the effects of the design of specific components on peri-implant bone stress and abutment displacement after implant-supported single restoration in the anterior maxilla.

Influences of implant neck design and implant-abutment joint type on peri-implant bone stress and abutment micromovement: three-dimensional finite element analysis.

OBJECTIVES: Occlusal overloading is one of the causes of peri-implant bone resorption, and many studies on stress distribution in the peri-implant bone by three-dimensional finite element analysis (3D FEA) have been performed. However, the FEA models previously reported were simplified and far from representing what occurs in clinical situations. In this study, 3D FEA was conducted with simulation of the complex structure of dental implants, and the influences of neck design and connections with an abutment on peri-implant bone stress and abutment micromovement were investigated. METHODS: Three types of two-piece implant CAD models were designed: external joint with a conical tapered neck (EJ), internal joint with a straight neck (IJ), and conical joint with a reverse conical neck (CJ). 3D FEA was performed with the setting of a "contact" condition at the component interface, and stress distribution in the peri-implant bone and abutment micromovement were analyzed. RESULTS: The shear stress was concentrated on the mesiodistal side of the cortical bone for EJ. EJ had the largest amount of abutment micromovement. While the von Mises and shear stresses around the implant neck were concentrated on the labial bone for IJ, they were distributed on the mesiodistal side of the cortical bone for CJ. CJ had the least amount of abutment micromovement. SIGNIFICANCE: Implants with a conical joint with an abutment and reverse conical neck design may effectively control occlusal overloading on the labial bone and abutment micromovement.