Influence of conservative endodontic access and the osteoporotic bone on the restoration material adhesive behavior through finite element analysis.

Assess, using finite element analysis, the adhesive behavior of Class I restorations under physiological occlusal loads on an endodontically treated first upper premolar with conventional and conservative crown opening surrounded by alveolar bone in normal and osteoporotic conditions. For this, four virtual models were used: M1-conservative access/normal bone; M2-conventional access/normal bone; M3-conservative access/osteoporotic bone; M4-conventional access/osteoporotic bone. On enamel, under axial load, the highest peaks occurred on conventional models and, under oblique load, the highest peaks occurred on conservative opening models. The bone condition showed no influence on the adhesive behavior. On dentin, under axial load, the models showed similar behaviors, regardless of the bone condition; under oblique load, the highest incidence of forces occurred on the distal region of the palatal root canal entrance and the highest peak was observed in the conventional opening model with normal bone. Also, under oblique load, conventional opening models showed larger values on dentin for the normal bone and similar for the osteoporotic. The conclusions shows higher displacement tensile strength peaks were observed in the conventional models, which can lead to a greater risk of adhesive failure on class I restorations with this opening. Therefore, a conservative opening would be recommended to avoid opening clinical complications. The bone condition showed no significant influence on adhesive behavior, except for dentin under oblique load, where conventional models showed larger values relative to normal bone and similar to the osteoporotic bone.

Reverse torque evaluation in indexed and nonindexed abutments of Morse Taper implants in a mechanical fatigue test.

BACKGROUND: This experimental study assessed reverse torque of indexed and nonindexed (NI) abutments in Morse Taper (MT) implants in a mechanical fatigue test. MATERIALS AND METHODS: In this experimental study It was used 37 implants MT and over them installed Pilar Flex abutments (4.8 mm × 6 mm × 1.5 mm). The groups were as follows: Group A used 19 MT implants with a NI Pilar Flex abutment loaded with 32 N/cm and Group B used 18 MT implants with an indexed (IN) Pilar Flex abutment loaded with 20 N/cm. The abutments were tested according to ISO standard 14801/2007. The specimens were installed at 30° from the axial axis and underwent a 133 N load, 4 Hz frequency, and 1,000,000 cycles. Once the test was completed, the reverse torque was provided by an electronic torque meter. Data were submitted to statistical analysis using the t-test for independent samples and paired t-test. The significance level was considered P < 0.05. RESULTS: Results obtained showed that the indexed Pilar Flex abutment had a percentage of torque loss from the initial torque of 49% and the NI Pilar Flex abutment lost 14%. Paired Student's t-tests revealed that for both NI (P < 0.001) and indexed (P < 0.001) abutments, the counter torque values were significantly lower than those applied at the initial torque. CONCLUSION: According on the methodology used, the NI Pilar Flex abutment was more effective regarding the reverse torque in single-unit implant prostheses versus the indexed Pilar Flex abutment. A greater loosening in the indexed Pilar Flex abutment retaining screw was noted in the reverse torque test, and the Pilar Flex abutment failed to show good outcomes related to the cold welding effect.

Biomechanical Behavior of an Implant System Using Polyether Ether Ketone Bar: Finite Element Analysis.

AIM AND OBJECTIVES: This study assessed, through finite element analysis, the biomechanical behavior of an implant system using the All-on-Four® technique with nickel-chromium (M1) and polyether ether ketone (PEEK) bars (M2). MATERIALS AND METHODS: Implants and components were represented in three-dimensional (3D) geometric models and submitted to three types of load: axial, oblique, and load on all teeth. The 3D models were exported to a computer-aided design-like software such as Solidworks 2016 (Dassault Systemes, Solidworks Corps, USA) for editing and Nonuniform Rational Basis Splines parametrization. RESULTS: Data were analyzed according to system's areas of action: peri-implant bone, implant, intermediates, intermediates' screws, prostheses' screws, and bars. Largest peak stress was shown in M2. CONCLUSION: PEEK is a promising material for use in dentistry; however, further studies are necessary to evaluate its performance.