Journal of prosthodontics : official journal of the American College of Prosthodontists | 2019
Implant Angulation Effect on the Fracture Resistance of Monolithic Zirconia Custom Abutments: An In Vitro Study.
Abstract
PURPOSE\nTo investigate the fracture resistance and performance of zirconia when employed for the fabrication of implant abutments with different angulations, simulating anterior maxillary oral rehabilitation.\n\n\nMATERIALS AND METHODS\nForty-five monolithic zirconia custom abutments of internal conical implant connection were CAD/CAM designed and fabricated. The specimens were divided into three groups (n = 15/group) according to implant- to- abutment angulation. The angulations used were; 0°, 15°, and 25°. The abutments were loaded until failure at 135° using the Universal Testing Machine (Instron, Canton, MA). Collected data were statistically analyzed using one-way ANOVA and post-hoc Tukey test.\n\n\nRESULTS\nMean (±standard deviation) load at fracture of the zirconia abutments for the three groups were 962.37 ±93.81 N (Gr15) > 718.25 ±93.71 N (Gr25) > 534.05 ±133.77 N (Gr0). Statistically significant difference (p<0.0001) was found between all groups; Gr0 vs. Gr15, Gr0 vs. Gr25, Gr15 vs. Gr25.\n\n\nCONCLUSIONS\nContrary to expectations, the non-angulated monolithic zirconia abutments presented the lowest fracture resistance values. Angulating the abutments 15 or 25 degrees, following the palatal resorption pattern of the premaxilla, significantly increased the in vitro fracture resistance. This article is protected by copyright. All rights reserved.