Load to failure of different zirconia implant abutments with titanium components.
BACKGROUND
Abutments with a zirconia superstructure and a titanium insert have recently become popular. Although they have been tested under static load, their performance under simulated mastication is not well known.


OBJECTIVE
The purpose of this in vitro study was to compare the cyclic load to failure of 3 types of zirconia abutments with different mechanisms of retention of the zirconia to the titanium interface.


METHODS
Fifteen implants (n=5 per system) and abutments (3 groups: 5 friction fit [Frft]; 5 bonded; and 5 titanium ring friction fit [Ringfrft]) were used. Abutments were thermocycled in water between 5°C and 55°C for 15000 cycles and then cyclically loaded for 20000 cycles or until failure at a frequency of 2 Hz by using a sequentially increased loading protocol up to a maximum of 720 N. The load to failure for each group was recorded, and 1-way analysis of variance was performed.


RESULTS
The mean load-to-failure values for the Frft group was 526 N, for the Bond group 605 N, and for the Ringfrft group 288 N. A statistically significant difference was found among all abutments tested (P<.05).


CONCLUSIONS
Abutments with the bonded connection showed the highest load-to-failure value, and the abutment with the titanium ring friction fit connection showed the lowest load-to-failure value.
Assistant Professor, Department of Prosthodontics, Louisiana State University, School of Dentistry, New Orleans, La. Electronic address: fmasca@lsuhsc.edu.
Faye
F
Mascarenhas
Associate Professor, Division of Restorative Sciences, The Ohio State University College of Dentistry, Columbus, Ohio.
Burak
B
Yilmaz
Professor, Division of Restorative Sciences, The Ohio State University College of Dentistry, Columbus, Ohio.
Edwin
E
McGlumphy
Professor, Division of Restorative sciences, The Ohio State University College of Dentistry, Columbus, Ohio.
Nancy
N
Clelland
Research Scientist, Department of Mechanical and Aerospace engineering, The Ohio State University, Columbus, Ohio.
Jeremy
J
Seidt
D000044:Dental Abutments / Q000009:adverse effects*; D059605:Dental Implant-Abutment Design / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000379:methods; D015921:Dental Implants / Q000009:adverse effects; D019232:Dental Restoration Failure; D003799:Dental Stress Analysis; D006801:Humans; D066298:In Vitro Techniques; D014025:Titanium / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000627:therapeutic use; D015040:Zirconium / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000627:therapeutic use
D015921:Dental Implants; D015040:Zirconium; D014025:Titanium; C028541:zirconium oxide