Implants with original and non-original abutment connections.
OBJECTIVE
To test in vitro the mechanical resistance, rotational misfit and failure mode of three original implant-abutment connections and to compare them to two connections between non-original abutments connected to one of the original implants.


METHODS
Three different implants with small diameters (3.3 mm for Straumann Roxolid, 3.5 mm for Nobel Biocare Replace and Astra Tech Osseospeed TX) were connected with individualized titanium abutments. Twelve implants from each system were connected to their original abutments (Straumann CARES, Nobel Biocare Procera, Astra Tech Atlantis). Twenty-four Roxolid implants were connected with non-original abutments using CAD/CAM procedures from the other two manufacturers (12 Nobel Biocare Procera and 12 Astra Tech Atlantis). For the critical bending test, a Zwick/Roell 1475 machine and the Xpert Zwick/Roell software were used.


RESULTS
The rotational misfit varied when comparing the different interfaces. The use of non-original grade V titanium abutments on Roxolid implants increased the force needed for deformation. The fracture mode was different with one of the original connections.


CONCLUSIONS
Non-original abutments differ in design of the connecting surfaces and material and demonstrate higher rotational misfit. These differences may result in unexpected failure modes.
School of Dental Medicine, University of Bern, Bern, Switzerland.
Michel
M
Gigandet
Gianni
G
Bigolin
Francisco
F
Faoro
Walter
W
Bürgin
Urs
U
Brägger
D000044:Dental Abutments; D015921:Dental Implants; D017267:Dental Prosthesis Design
D015921:Dental Implants