Influence of the Use of Transepithelial Abutments vs. Titanium Base Abutments on Microgap Formation at the Dental Implant-Abutment Interface: An In Vitro Study

• Published in: Materials 2023-10, Vol.16 (19), p.6532
• Main Authors: Cascos, Rocío, Celemín-Viñuela, Alicia, Mory-Rubiños, Nataly, Gómez-Polo, Cristina, Ortega, Rocío, Agustín-Panadero, Rubén, Gómez-Polo, Miguel
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Bridge abutments; Dental implants; Digitization; Electron microscopy; Fractures; Implant dentures; Manufacturers; Prostheses; Scanning electron microscopy; Silicones; Thermal cycling; Titanium; Zirconium dioxide; Zirconium oxide
• ISSN: 1996-1944; 1996-1944
• DOI: 10.3390/ma16196532

This in vitro study aimed to assess the presence of microgaps at the implant-abutment interface in monolithic zirconia partial implant-supported fixed prostheses on transepithelial abutments versus Ti-base abutments. Sixty conical connection dental implants were divided into two groups ( = 30). The control group consisted of three-unit bridge monolithic zirconia connected to two implants by a transepithelial abutment. The test group consisted of monolithic zirconia three-unit restoration connected to two implants directly by a titanium base (Ti-base) abutment. The sample was subjected to thermocycling (10,000 cycles at 5 °C to 55 °C, dwelling time 50 s) and chewing simulation (300,000 cycles, under 200 N at frequencies of 2 Hz, at a 30° angle). The microgap was evaluated at six points (mesiobuccal, buccal, distobuccal, mesiolingual, lingual, and distolingual) of each implant-abutment interface by using a scanning electron microscope (SEM). The data were analyzed using the Mann-Whitney tests ( > 0.05). The SEM analysis showed a smaller microgap at the implant-abutment interface in the control group (0.270 μm) than in the test group (3.902 μm). Statistically significant differences were observed between both groups ( < 0.05). The use or not of transepithelial abutments affects the microgap size. The transepithelial abutments group presented lower microgap values at the interface with the implant than the Ti-base group in monolithic zirconia partial implant-supported fixed prostheses. However, both groups had microgap values within the clinically acceptable range.