title: Mechanical analysis of conventional and small diameter conical implant abutments.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  The aim of the present study was to evaluate if a smaller morse taper abutment has a negative effect on the fracture resistance of implant-abutment connections under oblique compressive loads compared to a conventional abutment.
  
  
  METHODS
  Twenty morse taper conventional abutments (4.8 mm diameter) and smaller abutments (3.8 mm diameter) were tightened (20 Ncm) to their respective implants (3.5 × 11 mm) and after a 10 minute interval, implant/abutment assemblies were subjected to static compressive test, performed in a universal test machine with 1 mm/min displacement, at 45° inclination. The maximum deformation force was determined. Data were statistically analyzed by student t test.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Maximum deformation force of 4.8 mm and 3.8 mm abutments was approximately 95.33 kgf and 95.25 kgf, respectively, but no fractures were noted after mechanical test. Statistical analysis demonstrated that the evaluated abutments were statistically similar (P=.230).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Abutment measuring 3.8 mm in diameter (reduced) presented mechanical properties similar to 4.8 mm (conventional) abutments, enabling its clinical use as indicated.
authors.affiliation: Dental School of Ribeirão Preto, University of São Paulo, Department of Dental Materials and Prosthodontics, Ribeirão Preto, SP, Brazil.
authors.forename: Izabela Cristina Maurício
authors.initials: IC
authors.lastname: Moris
authors.forename: Adriana Cláudia Lapria
authors.initials: AC
authors.lastname: Faria
authors.forename: Maria da Gloria Chiarello
authors.initials: Mda G
authors.lastname: de Mattos
authors.forename: Ricardo Faria
authors.initials: RF
authors.lastname: Ribeiro
authors.forename: Renata Cristina Silveira
authors.initials: RC
authors.lastname: Rodrigues