• The Journal of Korean Academy of Prosthodontics
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• v.41 no.4
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• pp.503-518
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• 2003

Statement of problem : There have been previous studies about considerable variations in machining accuracy and consistency in the implant-abutment-screw interfaces. Purpose : The purpose of this study was to evaluate the machining accuracy and consistency of implant/abutment/screw combinations on two randomly selected implants from each of four manufactures. Material and methods : In this study, screws were respectively used to secure a cemented abutment, to a hexlock implant fixture ; teflon coated titanium alloy screw(Torq-Tite) and titanium alloy screw in Steri--Oss system, gold-plated gold-palladium alloy screw(Gold-Tite) and titanium alloy screw in 3i system gild screw ana titanium screw in AVANA Dental Implant system, and titanium screws in Paragon System. The implants were perpendicularly mounted in polymethyl methacrylate autopolymerizing acrylic resin block(Orthodontic resin, Densply International Inc. USA) by use of dental surveyer. Each abutment screw was secured to the implant with recommended torque value using a digital torque controller. Each screw was again tightened after 10 minutes. All samples were cross sectioned with grinder-polisher unit(Omnilap 2000 SBT Inc) after embeded in liquid unsaturated polyester (Epovia, Cray Valley Inc) Results : There were the largest gaps in the neck areas of screws in hexagonal extension implants which were examined in this study. The leading edge of the abutment screw thread (superior surface) was in contact with the implant body thread, and the majority of the contacting surfaces were localized to the middle portion of the mating threads. Considerable variation in the contacting surfaces was noted in the samples evaluated. Amounts of contact in the abutment screw thread were larger for assemblies with Gold-Tite screw, gold alloy screw. Torq-Tite screw than those with titanium screws. The findings of intimate contact between the screw and screw seat were seen in all samples, regardless of manufacturers. However, microgap between the head and lateral neck surface of the screw and the abutment could be dectected in all samples. The findings of intimate contact between the platform of the implant and the bottom of the abutment were consistent in all samples, regardless of manufacturers. However, microgaps between the lateral surface of external hex of the fixture and the abutment could be dectected in all samples. Conclusion : Considerable variations in machining accuracy and consistency were noted in the samples and the implant-abutment-screw interfaces were incomplete. From the results of this study, further development of the system will be required, including improvements in pattern design.

• Journal of Dental Rehabilitation and Applied Science
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• v.24 no.3
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• pp.283-298
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• 2008

The purpose of this study was to evaluate mechanical fit of fixture- abutment-screw interface in the internal connection implant systems. In this study, each two randomly selected internal implant fixture- abutment assemblys from Certain, Xive, Replace, Ankylos, SS II. were used. The implants were perpendicularly mounted in liquid unsaturated polyester by use of dental surveyor. Each abutment was connected to the implant with recommended torque value using a torque controller. All samples were cross-sectioned with grinder-polisher unit after embeded in liquid unsaturated polyester, and then fixture-abutment-screw interfaces of all samples by using optical microscope and scanning electron microscope were analyzed. Conclusively, although a little variation in machining accuracy and consistency was noted in the samples, important features of all internal connection systems were the deep, internal fixture-abutment connections which provides intimate contact with the implant walls to resist micromovement, resulting in a strong stable interface.

• The Journal of Korean Academy of Prosthodontics
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• v.42 no.2
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• pp.192-209
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• 2004

Purpose : The purpose of this study was to evaluate the machining accuracy and consistency of implant/abutment/screw combination or internal connection type. Material and methods: In this study, each two randomly selected internal implant fixtures from ITI, 3i, Avana, Bicon, Friadent, Astra, and Paragon system were used. Each abutment was connected to the implant with 32Ncm torque value using a digital torque controller or tapping. All samples were cross-sectioned with grinder-polisher unit (Omnilap 2000 SBT Inc) after embeded in liquid unsaturated polyester (Epovia, Cray Valley Inc). Then optical microscopic and scanning electron microscopic(SEM) evaluations of the implant-abutment interfaces were conducted to assess quality of fit between the mating components. Results : 1) Generally, the geometry of the internal connection system provided for a precision fit of the implant/abutment into interface. 2) The most precision fit of the implant/abutment interface was provided in the case of Bicon System which has not screw. 3) The fit of the implant/abutment interface was usually good in the case of ITI, 3I and Avana system and the amount of fit of the implant/abutment interface was similar to each other. 4) The fit of the implant/abutment interface was usually good in the case of Friadent, Astra and Paragon system. The case of Astra system with the inclined contacting surface had the most Intimate contact among them. 5) Amount of intimate contact in the abutment screw thread to the mating fixture was larger in assembly with two-piece type which is separated screw from abutment such as Friadent, Astra and Paragon system than in that with one-piece type which is not seperated screw from abutment such as ITI, 3I and Avana system. 6) Amount of contact in the screw and the screw seat of abutment was larger in assembly of Friadent system than in asembly of Astra system of Paragon system. Conclusion: Although a little variation in machining accuracy and consistency was noted in the samples, important features of all internal connection systems were the deep, internal implant-abutment connections which provides intimate contact with the implant walls to resist micro-movement, resulting in a strong stable interface. From the results of this study, further research of the stress distribution according to the design of internal connection system will be required.

• The Journal of Korean Academy of Prosthodontics
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• v.35 no.4
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• pp.793-800
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• 1997

Periotest(Siemens, Germany) has been used to test mobility of the implants clinically, however the effects of target materials and connection methods on the PTVs(Periotest Values) have not been evaluated. Periotest has been regarded as a reliable and objective tool to test implant and natural teeth mobility clinically, however this instrument showed different PTVs under various test conditions. This in vitro study was designed to compare PTVs of different veneering materials and prosthodontic designs (single and bridge restorations). To compare the effects of veneering materials on PTVs, 1 mm thickness of five different testing materials (porcelain, type III gold alloy, pure titanium, composite resin, acrylic resin) were placed on the resin block. Three full length of 13 mm Mark II implant fixtures were embedded into autopolymerizing resin block to fabricate single and bridge restorations. To evaluate effects of the connection method in single restorations, PTVs of screw retained(UCLA type) and cementation type(Cera-One system) were compared. Finally, to test reliability of PTVs of the final restorations, screw retained three unit short span PFM bridges were fabricated on the standard and Estheti-Cone abutments. All testing components were tightened with torque controller and PTVs of all specimens were measured 15 times for statistical analysis with SAS program. Following conclusions were made within the limit of this in vitro study. 1. PTVs of type III gold alloy, grade II titanium, composite resin veneering materials showed no significant differences, however acrylic resin and porcelain showed significant differences (P<0.05). 2. Single tooth restorations showed consistent PTVs as long as proper torque force was applied. 3. PTVs of bridge type prostheses was inconsistent regardless of abutment types. 4. PTVs of the prostheses showed higher scores and standard deviations than those of abutments regardless types of connection (P<0.05).

• The Journal of Korean Academy of Prosthodontics
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• v.50 no.2
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• pp.92-98
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• 2012

Purpose: The aim of this study was to evaluate the effects of different abutment materials on abutment screw loosening and settling-down effect in conical connection type implant system. Materials and methods: Three types of abutment, cementation, gold UCLA, and metal UCLA abutment were used. Two UCLA groups were fabricated in a similar pattern to cementation abutment. Type III gold alloy and Nickel-Chromium alloy was used for casting gold UCLA abutment and metal UCLA abutment, respectively. Fixture and abutment were tightened to 30 Ncm by using digital torque controller and re-tightening was conducted with same force after 10 minutes. Digital torque gauge was used to measure loosening torque and fixture/abutment length was measured by digital micrometer. Dynamic loads between 25 N and 250 N were applied with $0^{\circ}$ angle to the abutment axis. After loading, fixture/abutment length was re-measured and amount of settlement was calculated. Loosening torque value was also measured for comparison Results: All three groups showed significant differences of length when comparing before and after loading, but there was no significant difference of settling amount in all groups. Loosening torque values were significantly decreased when comparing before and after loading in all groups($P$<.05). However, there was no significant difference in loss of loosening torque values when compared to groups. Conclusion: In internal conical connection type implants, dynamic load affected on settlement and loosening torque of implant, but there was no differences between abutments materials. Likewise gold UCLA abutment, metal UCLA abutment might be able to withstand functional load.

• The Journal of Korean Academy of Prosthodontics
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• v.42 no.6
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• pp.628-640
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• 2004

Statement of problem. Wear as a result of repeated closing/opening cycles may decrease the friction coefficient of screw head, threads, and other mating components and, consequently, resistance to opening gradually decreases. It may cause screw loosening, which is one of the most common failures in implant prosthesis. Purpose. The purpose of this study is to evaluate the changes on the head and thread surface of the abutment screws after repeated closing and opening through the examination of tested screws in SEM(scanning electron microscope). Materials and methods. Five species of abutments were selected (3i-three, Avana-two) respectively by two pieces. The implant fixtures were perpendicularly mounted in liquid unsaturated polyesther(Epovia, Cray Valley Inc.) with dental surveyor. Each abutment was secured to the implant fixture by each abutment screw with recommended torque value using a digital torque controller. The abutment screws were repeatedly tightened and removed 20 times with a digital controller. FESEM (field emission scanning electron microscope, Netherland, Phillips co., model:XL 30 SFEG) was used to observe changes of each part caused by repeatedly closing/opening expeiment. First, the Photomicrographs of pre-test screws provided by each manufacturer were taken. The changes of each screw were investigated after every fifth closing and opening experiment with FESEM. Scaning electron microscope photomicrographs of each screw were taken four times. Results. As the number of closing and opening was increased, the wear or distortion of hexed or squared slot that contacted with the driver tip was more severely progressed. Wear or distortion of hexed slot was more severe than that of squared slot and it was more remarkable in the titanium screw than in the gold screw. All the tested screws showed that the width in the crest of their screw thread decreased gradually as the test was proceeded. Conclusions. Conclusively, we recommend the clinical use of gold screw, a periodic exchanges of abutment screws and avoiding repeated closing/opening unnecessarily. We also suggest a more careful manipulation of the abutment screw and screw-driver and using of abutment screw with an acute-angled slot design rather than an obtuse-angled one. Finally, it is suggested that the new slot design and the surface treatment for enduring wear or distortion should be devised.

• Journal of Dental Rehabilitation and Applied Science
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• v.19 no.1
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• pp.17-25
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• 2003

Treatment with implants of single tooth missing cases is both functional and esthetic. Although the success rate of single-tooth implant treatments is increasing, sometimes it makes some problems. Problems with single-tooth implant treatments include soft tissue complications, abutment screw fracture, and most commonly, abutment screw loosening, and these involve the instability of the dental implant-superstructure interface. This study investigated and compared dental implant screw joint micromotion of various implant system with external connection or internal connection when tested under simulated clinical loading, Six groups (N=5) were assessed: (1) Branemark AurAdapt (Nobel Biocare, Goteborg, Sweden), (2) Branemark EsthetiCone (Nobel Biocare, Goteborg, Sweden), (3) Neoplant Conical (Neobiotec, Korea), (4) Neoplant UCLA (Neobiotec, Korea), (5) Neoplant 5.5mm Solid (Neobiotec, Korea), and (6) ITI SynOcta (Institute Straumann, Waldenburg, Switzerland). Six identical frameworks were fabricated. Abutment screws were tightened to 32-35 Ncm and occlusal screw were tightened to 15-20 Ncm with an electronic torque controller. A mechanical testing machine applied a compressive cyclic load of 20kg at 10Hz to a contact point on each implant crown. Strain gauge recorded the micromotion of the screw joint interface once a second. Data were selected at 1, 500, 5,000, 10,000, 20,000, 30,000, 40,000 and 50,000 cycle and 2-way ANOVA test was performed to assess the statistical significance. The results of this study were as follows; The micromotion of the implant-superstructure in the interface increased gradually through 50,000 cycles for all implant systems. In the case of the micromotion according to cycle increase, Neoplant Conical and Neoplant UCLA system exhibited significantly increasing micromotion at the implant-superstructure interface (p<0.05), but others not significant. In the case of the micromotion of the implant-superstructure interface at 50,000 cycle, the largest micromotion were recorded in the Branemark EsthetiCone, sequently followed by Neoplant Conical, Neoplant UCLA, Branemark AurAdapt, ITI SynOcta and Neplant Solid. Internal connection system showed smaller micromotion than external connection system. Specially, Neoplant Solid with internal connection system exhibited significantly smaller micromotion than other implant systems except ITI SynOcta with same internal connection system (p<0.05). In the case of external connection, Branemark EsthetiCone and Neoplant Conical system with abutment showed significantly larger micromotion than Branemark AurAdapt without abutment (p<0.05).

• The Journal of Korean Academy of Prosthodontics
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• v.41 no.4
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• pp.451-465
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• 2003

Statement of problem : Recently various implant components such as premachined gold cylinder, plastic cylinder gold UCLA abutment and plastic abutment were developed and used clinically without clinical investigation. Purpose : The purpose of this study was to evaluate the effects of fabrication of gold cylinder on the fitness and preload of the standard abutment and also the effects of fabrication of UCLA gold abutment on the fitness and stress transfer around the implant fixture. Material and method : Three kinds of gold cylinders such as, as-received gold cylinder (Nobel Biocare, Sweden), gold cylinder after casting, and plastic cylinder after casting with type IV gold alloy were tested over the top of the standard abutment. At the same time, three types of abutments such as, gold UCLA abutment before and after casting, and plastic abutment after casting were tested. The cylinder and abutment was secured over the fixture with conventional pre-load values using an electronic torque controller (Nobel Biocare, Sweden). The fitness of the abutment on the fixture and gold cylinder over the standard abutment were measured using the microhardness tester (MXT 70, Matsuzawa, Japan). Preload and the strain values were recorded using the strain balance unit (SB-10, Measurement group, Raleigh, USA) and strain indicator (P-3500, Measurement group, Raleigh, USA) systems. Results and conclusion : 1. Significant differences were found in the fit between the gold cylinder and plastic cylinder. 2 There were significant differences between the preload of the gold cylinder and that of the plastic cylinder. 3. Significant differences were found in the fit between the gold UCLA abutment and plastic UCLA abutment. 4. There were no significant differences in the stress generated on the supporting structure of the fixture among different cylinder and abutment groups.

• The Journal of Korean Academy of Prosthodontics
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• v.43 no.4
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• pp.528-543
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• 2005

Statement of problem: Repeated delivery and removal of abutment cause some changes such as wear, scratch or defect of hexagonal structure. It may increase the value of rotational freedom(RF) between hexagonal structures. Purpose: The purpose of this study was to evaluate surface changes and rotational freedom between the external hexagon of the implant fixture and internal hexagon of abutment after repeated delivery and removal under SEM and toolmaker's microscope. Materials and methods: Implant systems used for this study were 3i and Avana. Seven pail's of implant fixture, abutment and abutment screws for each system were selected and all fixtures were perpendicularly mounted in liquid unsaturated polyesther with dental surveyor. Each one was embedded beneath the platform of fixture. Surfaces of hexagonal structure before repeated closing and opening of abutment were observed using SEM and rotational freedom was measured by using toolmaker's microscope. Each abutment was secured to the implant future by each abutment screw with recommended torque value using a digital torque controller and was repeatedly delivered and removed by 20 times respectively. After experiment, evaluation for the change of hexagonal structures and measurement of rotational freedom were performed. Result : The results were as follows; 1. Wear of contact area between implant fixture and abutment was considerable in both 3i and Avana system. Scratches and defects were frequently observed at the line-angle of hexagonal structures of implant fixture and abutment. 2. In the SEM view of the external hexagon of implant fixture, the point-angle areas at the corner edge of hexagon were severely worn out in both systems. It was more notable in the case of 3i systems than in that of Avana systems. 3. In the SEM view of the internal hexagon of abutment, Gingi-Hue abutment of 3i systems showed severe wear in micro-stop contacts that were machined into the corners to prevent rotation and cemented abutment of Avana systems showed wear in both surface area adjacent to the corner mating with external hexagon of implant fixture. 4 The mean values of rotational freedom between the external hexagon of the implant fixture and internal hexagon of abutment were 0.48$\pm$0.04$^{\circ}$ in pre-tested 3i systems and 1.18$\pm$0.25$^{\circ}$ after test, and 1.80$\pm$0.04$^{\circ}$ in pre-tested Avana systems and 2.61$\pm$0.16$^{\circ}$ after test. 5. Changes of rotational freedom after test shouted statistical)y a significant increase in both 3i and Avana systems(P<0.05, paired t-test). 6. Statistically, there was no significant difference between amount of increase in the rotational freedom of 3i systems and amount of increase in that of Avana ones(P>0.05, unpaired t-test). Conclusion: Conclusively, it was considered that repeated delivery and remove of abutment by 20 times would not have influence on screw joint stability. However, it caused statistically the significant change of rotational freedom in tested systems. Therefore, it is suggested that repeated delivery and remove of abutment should be minimal as possible as it could be and be done carefully Additionally, it is suggested that the means or treatment to prevent the wear of mating components should be devised.

• The Journal of Korean Academy of Prosthodontics
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• v.35 no.4
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• pp.662-673
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• 1997

The purpose of this study was to compare the accuracy between future impression and abutment impression using strain gauges. The master model used in this study was a partially edentulous mandibular metal cast with two fixture analogs on both sides. On the left, two future analogs were parallel, whereas right side, posterior future analog exhibiting a 15-degree lingual inclination. From master cast, 10 impressions were made for each of the three impression methods. The master frameworks was fabricated on the master model, and two-element strain gauge was attached to a master framework. The master framework was seated on each cast, and gold screws were tightened to 10 Ncm using a torque controller AI-1600 strain measurement system was used for strain measuring. Impression methods studied were : Group 1:abutment impression Group 2:fixture impression Group 3:combined impression (anterior:fixture impression, posterior:abutment impression) The results were as followed. 1. The strain values on X-axis and Y-axis according to the three impression methods showed no significant difference. 2. The strain values on parallel and angulated groups according to the three impression methods showed no significant difference. 3. The parallel group exhibited significantly higher accuracy in adaptation than angulated group for all experimental groups (p<0.05). In conclusion, it is considered that accuracy of implant prostheses is more affected by implant angulation than impression methods.