• Journal of Periodontal and Implant Science
• /
• v.45 no.1
• /
• pp.23-29
• /
• 2015

Purpose: This study was conducted to compare the cumulative survival rates (CSRs) and the incidence of postloading complications (PLCs) between a bone-level internal connection system (ICS-BL) and an external connection system (ECS). Methods: The medical records of patients treated with either a ICS-BL or ECS between 2007 and 2010 at Asan Medical Center were reviewed. PLCs were divided into two categories: biological and technical. Biological complications included >4 mm of probing pocket depth, thread exposure in radiographs, and soft tissue complications, whereas technical complications included chipping of the veneering material, fracture of the implant, fracture of the crown, loosening or fracture of the abutment or screw, loss of retention, and loss of access hole filling material. CSRs were determined by a life-table analysis and compared using the log-rank chi-square test. The incidence of PLC was compared with the Pearson chi-squared test. Results: A total of 2,651 implants in 1,074 patients (1,167 ICS-BLs in 551 patients and 1,484 ECSs in 523 patients) were analyzed. The average observation periods were 3.4 years for the ICS-BLs and 3.1 years for the ECSs. The six-year CSR of all implants was 96.1% (94.9% for the ICS-BLs and 97.1% for the ECSs, P=0.619). Soft tissue complications were more frequent with the ECSs (P=0.005) and loosening or fracture of the abutment or screw occurred more frequently with the ICS-BLs (P<0.001). Conclusions: Within the limitations of this study, the ICS-BL was more prone to technical complications while the ECS was more vulnerable to biological complications.

• The Journal of Korean Academy of Prosthodontics
• /
• v.54 no.2
• /
• pp.110-119
• /
• 2016

Purpose: This study is aimed to assess changes of stress distribution dependent on different connection lengths and placement of the fixture top relative to the ridge crest. Materials and methods: The internal-conical connection implant which has a hexagonal anti-rotation index was used for FEM analysis on stress distribution in accordance with connection length of fixture-abutment. Different connection lengths of 2.5 mm, 3.5 mm, and 4.5 mm were designed respectively with the top of the fixture flush with residual ridge crest level, or 2 mm above. Therefore, a total of 6 models were made for the FEM analysis. The load was 170 N and 30-degree tilted. Results: In all cases, the maximum von Mises stress was located adjacent to the top portion of the fixture and ridge crest in the bone. The longer the connection length was, the lower the maximum von Mises stress was in the fixture, abutment, screw and bone. The reduction rate of the maximum von Mises stress depending on increased connection length was greater in the case of the fixture top at 2 mm above the ridge crest versus flush with the ridge crest. Conclusion: It was found that the longer the connection length, the lower the maximum von Mises stress appears. Furthermore, it will help prevent mechanical or biological complications of implants.

• The Journal of Advanced Prosthodontics
• /
• v.13 no.6
• /
• pp.343-350
• /
• 2021

PURPOSE. The success of an implant-prosthetic rehabilitation is influenced by good implant health and an excellent implant-prosthetic coupling. The stability of implant-prosthetic connection is influenced by the rotational tolerance between anti-rotational features on the implant and those on the prosthetic component. The aim of this study is to investigate the rotational tolerance of a conical connection implant system and its titanium abutment counterpart, in various conditions. MATERIAL AND METHODS. 10 preparable titanium abutments, having zero-degree angulation (MegaGen, Daegu, Korea) with an internal 5-degree conical connection, and 10 implants (MegaGen, Daegu, Korea) were used. Rotational tolerance between the connection of implant and titanium abutments was measured through the use of a tridimensional optics measuring system (Quick Scope QS250Z, Mitutoyo, Kawasaki, Japan) in the as-received condition (Time 0), after securing with a titanium screw tightening at 35 Ncm (Time 1), after tightening 4 times at 35 Ncm (Time 2), after tightening one more time at 45 Ncm (Time 3), and after tightening another 4 times at 45 Ncm (Time 4). RESULTS. The group "Time 0" had the lowest values of rotational freedom (0.22 ± 0.76 degrees), followed by the group Time 1 (0.46 ± 0.83 degrees), the group Time 2 (1.01 ± 0.20 degrees), the group Time 3 (1.30 ± 0.85 degrees), and the group Time 4 (1.49 ± 0.17 degrees). CONCLUSION. The rotational tolerance of a conical connection is low in the "as received" condition but increases with repetitive tightening and with application of a torque greater than 35 Ncm.

• The Journal of Korean Academy of Prosthodontics
• /
• v.42 no.6
• /
• pp.664-670
• /
• 2004

Statement of problem. One of the common problems of dental implant prosthesis is the loosening of the screw that connects each component, and this problem is more common in single implant-supported prostheses with external connection. Purpose. The purpose of this study was to examine the changes of detorque values of abutment screws with external connection in different abutment heights. Materials and methods. After cyclic loading on three different abutment heights, detorque values were measured. Abutments were retained with titanium abutment screws tightened to 30 Ncm (30.5 kgmm) with digital torque gauge as recommended by the manufacturer. Replacing abutments, implants and titanium abutment screws with new ones at every measurement, initial detorque values were measured six times. In measuring de torque values after cyclic loading, Avana Cemented Abutments of 4.0 mm collar, 7.0 mm height (Osstem Co., Ltd., Seoul, Korea) were used with three different lengths of 5.0, 8.0, 11.0 mm. Shorter abutments were made by milling of 11.0 mm abutment to have the same force-exercised area of 4.5 mm diameter. Sine curve force (20N-320N, 14Hz) was applied, and detorque values were measured after cyclic loading of 2 million times by loading machine. Detorque values of initial and after-loading were measured by digital torque gauge. One-way ANOVA was employed to see if there was any influence from different abutment heights. Results. The results were as follows: 1. The initial detorque value was 27.8$\pm$0.93 kgmm, and the ratio of the initial detorque value to the tightening torque was 0.91(27.8/30.5). 2. Measured detorque values after cyclic loading were declined as the height of the abutment increased, that was, 5.0 mm; 22.3$\pm$0.82 kgmm, 8.0 mm; 21.8$\pm$0.93 kgmm, and 11.0 mm; 21.3$\pm$0.94 kgmm. 3. One-way ANOVA showed no statistically significant differences among these (p>0.05). 4. Noticeable mobility at the implant-abutment interface was not observed in any case after cyclic loading at all.

• The Journal of Advanced Prosthodontics
• /
• v.6 no.2
• /
• pp.126-132
• /
• 2014

PURPOSE. This study was conducted to evaluate the influence of the implant-abutment connection design and diameter on the screw joint stability. MATERIALS AND METHODS. Regular and wide-diameter implant systems with three different joint connection designs: an external butt joint, a one-stage internal cone, and a two-stage internal cone were divided into seven groups (n=5, in each group). The initial removal torque values of the abutment screw were measured with a digital torque gauge. The postload removal torque values were measured after 100,000 cycles of a 150 N and a 10 Hz cyclic load had been applied. Subsequently, the rates of the initial and postload removal torque losses were calculated to evaluate the effect of the joint connection design and diameter on the screw joint stability. Each group was compared using Kruskal-Wallis test and Mann-Whitney U test as post-hoc test (${\alpha}$=0.05). RESULTS. The postload removal torque value was high in the following order with regard to magnitude: two-stage internal cone, one-stage internal cone, and external butt joint systems. In the regular-diameter group, the external butt joint and one-stage internal cone systems showed lower postload removal torque loss rates than the two-stage internal cone system. In the wide-diameter group, the external butt joint system showed a lower loss rate than the one-stage internal cone and two-stage internal cone systems. In the two-stage internal cone system, the wide-diameter group showed a significantly lower loss rate than the regular-diameter group (P<.05). CONCLUSION. The results of this study showed that the external butt joint was more advantageous than the internal cone in terms of the postload removal torque loss. For the difference in the implant diameter, a wide diameter was more advantageous in terms of the torque loss rate.

• The Journal of Korean Academy of Prosthodontics
• /
• v.55 no.3
• /
• pp.251-257
• /
• 2017

Purpose: The purpose of this study was to evaluate whether the internal abutment length affected screw stability in an internal connection implant. Materials and methods: Twenty long internal connection implants (Replus system, $4.7{\times}11.5mm$) were selected for this investigation. Abutments were assigned to four groups depending on the length of the internal connection (abutments with internal lengths of 1, 2, 3, and 4 mm, respectively). Each implant fixture specimen was embedded in resin medium and connected to an abutment with an abutment screw. A load of 100 N, applied at an angle of $30^{\circ}$ to the long axis of the implant, was repeated for $1.0{\times}10^6$ cycles. Reverse torque values (RTV) were recorded before and after loading, and the change in RTV was calculated. Data were analyzed with the Kruskal-Wallis test. Results: The change in RTV was not significantly different among the groups (P>.05). Screw loosening and fractures were not observed in any groups, and joint stability was maintained. Conclusion: The internal length of the abutment may not significantly affect the degree of screw loosening.

• Journal of Dental Rehabilitation and Applied Science
• /
• v.36 no.4
• /
• pp.222-231
• /
• 2020

To use the external connection implant (EXT) appropriately, the inter-implant distance should be carefully considered during placement, and the bones raised above the implants should be trimmed during the second surgery. The hex abutment is more useful than the non-hex abutment. EXT is particularly useful when the inter-arch space is limited. The tissue level (TL, internal butt connection) implant has a biomechanical advantage of coronal wall thickness and a biological advantage of an inherent transmucosal smooth surface. During TL implant restoration, an abutment can be selected using the abutment and fixture margins with considerations for the inter-arch space. Since no single type of implant can satisfy all the cases, it is necessary to select the appropriate type, considering the occlusal force and the bone condition.

• The Journal of Advanced Prosthodontics
• /
• v.8 no.5
• /
• pp.388-395
• /
• 2016

PURPOSE. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the resistance to deformation under static overloading by measuring yield and fracture strength, and to analyze the failure characteristics of implant assemblies made of different titanium grades and connections. MATERIALS AND METHODS. Six groups of implant assemblies were fabricated according to ISO 14801 (n=10). These consisted of the combinations of 3 platform connections (external, internal, and morse tapered) and 2 materials (titanium grade 2 and titanium grade 4). Yield strength and fracture strength were evaluated with a computer-controlled Universal Testing Machine, and failed implant assemblies were classified and analyzed by optical microscopy. The data were analyzed using the One-way analysis of variance (ANOVA) and Student's t-test with the level of significance at P=.05. RESULTS. The group $IT4_S$ had the significantly highest values and group IT2 the lowest, for both yield strength and fracture strength. Groups $IT4_N$ and ET4 had similar yield and fracture strengths despite having different connection designs. Group MT2 and group IT2 had significant differences in yield and fracture strength although they were made by the same material as titanium grade 2. The implant system of the similar fixture-abutment interfaces and the same materials showed the similar characteristics of deformation. CONCLUSION. A longer internal connection and titanium grade 4 of the implant system is advantageous for static overloading condition. However, it is not only the connection design that affects the stability. The strength of the titanium grade as material is also important since it affects the implant stability. When using the implant system made of titanium grade 2, a larger diameter fixture should be selected in order to provide enough strength to withstand overloading.

• Journal of Dental Rehabilitation and Applied Science
• /
• v.33 no.2
• /
• pp.114-118
• /
• 2017

Purpose: The aim of this study was to investigate the effects of a titanium component for the zirconia abutment in the internal connection implant system on screw loosening under thermocycling conditions. Materials and Methods: Internal connection titanium abutments and external connection zirconia abutments with titanium sockets were connected respectively to screw-shaped internal connection type titanium implants with 30 Ncm tightening. These implant-screw-abutment assemblies were divided into two groups of five specimens each; titanium abutments as control and zirconia abutments with titanium sockets as experimental group. The specimens were subjected to 2,000 thermocycles in water baths at $5^{\circ}C$ and $55^{\circ}C$, with 60 seconds of immersion at each temperature. The removal torque values (RTVs) of the abutment screws of the specimen were measured before and after thermocycling. RTVs pre- and post-thermocycling were investigated in statistics. Results: There was not screw loosening identified by tactile and visual inspection in any of the specimens during or after thermocycling. The mean RTV difference for the control group and the experimental group were $-1.34{\pm}2.53Ncm$ and $-1.26{\pm}2.06Ncm$, respectively. Statistical analysis using an independent t-test revealed that no significant differences were found in the mean RTV difference of the groups (P > 0.05). Conclusion: Within the limitations of this in vitro study, the titanium socket for the zirconia abutment did not show a significant effect on screw loosening under thermal stress compared to the titanium abutment in the internal connection implant.

• Journal of Dental Rehabilitation and Applied Science
• /
• v.29 no.2
• /
• pp.111-118
• /
• 2013

Purpose of present study is to investigate the effects of thread pitch in coronal portion in scalloped implant with 2 different connections on loading stress using 3 dimensional finite element analysis. Scalloped implant with 4 different thread pitches (0.4mm, 0.5mm, 0.6, and 0.7mm) in the coronal part was modeled with 2 different implant-abutment connections. Platform matching connection had the same implant and abutment diameter so that they were in flush contact at the periphery while platform mismatching connection had smaller abutment diameter than implant so that their connection was made away from periphery of implant-bone interface. Occlusal loading of 100N force was applied vertically and 30 degree obliquely to all 8 models and the maximum von Mises bone stress was identified. Loading stress as highly concentrated in cortical bone. Platform mismatching scalloped implant with small thread pitch (0.4mm) model had consistently lowest maximum von Mises bone stress in vertical and oblique loads. Platform matching model had lowest maximum von Mises bone stress with 0.6mm thread pitch in vertical load and with 0.4mm thread pitch in oblique load. Platform mismatching connection had important roles in reducing maximum von Mises bone stress. Scalloped implant with smaller coronal thread pitch showed trend of reducing maximum von Mises bone stress under load.