title: An evaluation of new designs in implant-abutment connections: a finite element method assessment.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  This research sought first to evaluate the differences in the finite element method (FEM) analysis of 4 different implant surfaces, including internal and external connections of the same manufacturer with additional modifications.
  
  
  METHODS
  In this study, 4 dental implants from the same manufacturer were compared. A connection system was modified with a collar to improve its stability. A nonlinear dynamic analysis by FEM was used to calculate the transient response of the dental implant systems.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The results of FEM analysis indicated that the implant-modified configuration is more efficient in loading support when compared with the others.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  In the present research, 4 different types of connections were evaluated: a modified internal hex connection with a collar (to increase stability), an internal hex connection, a standard connection without hex, and an external connection. These data demonstrated that the internal hex connection with the modification of the manufacturer's original is much more resistant to loosening and/or distortion than the traditional hex.
authors.affiliation: Department of Surgery, University of Pisa, Italy.
authors.forename: Ugo
authors.initials: U
authors.lastname: Covani
authors.forename: Massimiliano
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Ricci
authors.forename: Paolo
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Tonelli
authors.forename: Antonio
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Barone
mesh_terms: D000044:Dental Abutments; D059605:Dental Implant-Abutment Design; D015921:Dental Implants; D019094:Dental Prosthesis, Implant-Supported; D003799:Dental Stress Analysis; D020342:Finite Element Analysis; D006801:Humans; D016348:Osseointegration; D013499:Surface Properties; D016474:Weight-Bearing
chemical_list: D015921:Dental Implants