Effect of repeated torque/mechanical loading cycles on two different abutment types in implants with internal tapered connections: an in vitro study.
OBJECTIVE
Internal tapered connections were developed to improve biomechanical properties and to reduce mechanical problems found in other implant connection systems. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the effects of mechanical loading and repeated insertion/removal cycles on the torque loss of abutments with internal tapered connections.


METHODS
Sixty-eight conical implants and 68 abutments of two types were used. They were divided into four groups: groups 1 and 3 received solid abutments, and groups 2 and 4 received two-piece abutments. In groups 1 and 2, abutments were simply installed and uninstalled; torque-in and torque-out values were measured. In groups 3 and 4, abutments were installed, mechanically loaded and uninstalled; torque-in and torque-out values were measured. Under mechanical loading, two-piece abutments were frictionally locked into the implant; thus, data of group 4 were catalogued under two subgroups (4a: torque-out value necessary to loosen the fixation screw; 4b: torque-out value necessary to remove the abutment from the implant). Ten insertion/removal cycles were performed for every implant/abutment assembly. Data were analyzed with a mixed linear model (P< or =0.05).


RESULTS
Torque loss was higher in groups 4a and 2 (over 30% loss), followed by group 1 (10.5% loss), group 3 (5.4% loss) and group 4b (39% torque gain). All the results were significantly different. As the number of insertion/removal cycles increased, removal torques tended to be lower. It was concluded that mechanical loading increased removal torque of loaded abutments in comparison with unloaded abutments, and removal torque values tended to decrease as the number of insertion/removal cycles increased.
Ricciardi Coppedê
Abílio
A
Department of Dental Materials and Prostheses, School of Dentistry of Ribeirão Preto, University of São Paulo, Ribeirão Preto, São Paulo, Brazil. rribeiro@forp.usp.br
de Mattos
Maria da Glória Chiarello
Mda G
Rodrigues
Renata Cristina Silveira
RC
Ribeiro
Ricardo Faria
RF
D019245:Compressive Strength; D000044:Dental Abutments; D015921:Dental Implants; D017267:Dental Prosthesis Design; D019232:Dental Restoration Failure; D003799:Dental Stress Analysis; D013314:Stress, Mechanical; D013499:Surface Properties; D013718:Tensile Strength; D019415:Torque
D015921:Dental Implants