title: Load-application devices: a comparative strain gauge analysis.
abstract: In view of the low loading values commonly employed in dentistry, a load-application device (LAD) was developed as option to the universal testing machine (UTM), using strain gauge analysis. The aim of this study was to develop a load-application device (LAD) and compare the LAD with the UTM apparatus under axial and non-axial loads. An external hexagonal implant was inserted into a polyurethane block and one EsthetiCone abutment was connected to the implant. A plastic prosthetic cylinder was screwed onto the abutment and a conical pattern crown was fabricated using acrylic resin. An impression was made and ten identical standard acrylic resin patterns were obtained from the crown impression, which were cast in nickel-chromium alloy (n=10). Four strain gauges were bonded diametrically around the implant. The specimens were subjected to central (C) and lateral (L) axial loads of 30 kgf, on both devices: G1: LAD/C; G2: LAD/L; G3: UTM/C; G4: UTM/L. The data (με) were statistically analyzed by repeated measures ANOVA and Tukey's test (p<0.05). No statistically significant difference was found between the UTM and LAD devices, regardless of the type of load. It was concluded that the LAD is a reliable alternative, which induces microstrains to implants similar to those obtained with the UTM.
authors.affiliation: Department of Dental Materials and Prosthodontics, São José dos Campos Dental School, Universidade Estadual Paulista, São José dos Campos, SP, Brasil.
authors.forename: Renato Sussumu
authors.initials: RS
authors.lastname: Nishioka
authors.affiliation: Department of Dental Materials and Prosthodontics, São José dos Campos Dental School, Universidade Estadual Paulista, São José dos Campos, SP, Brasil.
authors.forename: Luis Gustavo Oliveira
authors.initials: LG
authors.lastname: de Vasconcellos
authors.affiliation: Department of Bioscience and Oral Diagnosis, São José dos Campos Dental School, Universidade Estadual Paulista, São José dos Campos, SP, Brasil.
authors.forename: Renata Pilli
authors.initials: RP
authors.lastname: Jóias
authors.affiliation: Department of Dental Materials and Prosthodontics, São José dos Campos Dental School, Universidade Estadual Paulista, São José dos Campos, SP, Brasil.
authors.forename: Sigmar de Mello
authors.initials: Sde M
authors.lastname: Rode
mesh_terms: D017266:Dental Prosthesis; D003799:Dental Stress Analysis / Q000295:instrumentation*