Clinical and Radiological Outcomes of Two Implants with Different Prosthetic Interfaces and Neck Configurations: Randomized,Controlled, Split‐Mouth Clinical Trial

Background: Peri‐implant bone loss seems to occur following implant placement/loading regardless of all the efforts to eliminate it. Several factors, including surgical trauma, biologic width establishment, lack of passive fit of the superstructures, implant‐abutment microgap, and occlusal overloading, may increase peri‐implant bone loss. Over the years, new interface designs were introduced and clinical studies suggest that internal conical connection and platform shifting may be advantageous for marginal bone preservation. Purpose: To compare clinical and radiological outcomes of two implant designs with different prosthetic interfaces and neck configurations in a randomized, controlled, split‐mouth clinical trial. Materials and Methods: Thirty‐four partially edentate patients randomly received at least one internal conical connection with back‐tapered collar and platform shifting design or external‐hexagon implants with flat‐to‐flat implant‐abutment interface. Primary end point was peri‐implant bone level changes at different time points, failures of implants and/or prosthesis, any complications, implant stability quotient (ISQ) values, and periodontal parameters. Results: No dropout occurred. Marginal bone changes were statistically significantly different with better results for the internal conical connection. No implants and prosthesis failures have been observed, yielding a cumulative survival rate of 100%. A high ISQ value was found for both implants, and no statistically significant difference was found for ISQ mean values between interventions at each time point (p > .05). All implants showed no bleeding on probing and a very slight amount of plaque at the 1‐year‐in‐function visit. Conclusions: Both implant designs investigated performed similarly in terms of failure rates, providing successful results up to 1 year after loading. The back‐tapered neck configuration with conical connection and built‐in platform shifting showed statistically lower marginal bone loss than straight neck configuration with flat‐to‐flat implant‐abutment interface and external‐hexagonal connection.     

A conical implant-abutment interface at the level of the marginal bone improves the distribution of stresses in the supporting bone. An axisymmetric finite element analysis

It has been hypothesized that marginal bone resorption may result from microdamage accumulation in the bone. In light of this, a dental implant should be designed such that the peak stresses arising in the bone are minimized. The load on an implant can be divided into its vertical and horizontal components. In earlier studies, it was found that the peak bone stresses resulting from vertical load components and those resulting from horizontal load components arise at the top of the marginal bone, and that they coincide spatially. These peak stresses added together produce a risk of stress-induced bone resorption. Using axisymmetric finite element analysis it was found that, with a conical implant-abutment interface at the level of the marginal bone, in combination with retention elements at the implant neck, and with suitable values of implant wall thickness and modulus of elasticity, the peak bone stresses resulting from an axial load arose further down in the bone. This meant that they were spatially separated from the peak stresses resulting from horizontal loads. If the same implant-abutment interface was located 2 mm more coronally, these benefits disappeared. This also resulted in substantially increased peak bone stresses.     

Influences of internal tapered abutment designs on bone stresses around a dental implant: three-dimensional finite element method with statistical evaluation

Background: The aim of this study is to determine the effects of various designs of internal tapered abutment joints on the stress induced in peri‐implant crestal bone by using the three‐dimensional finite element method and statistical analyses. Methods: Thirty‐six models with various internal tapered abutment–implant interface designs including different abutment diameters (3.0, 3.5, and 4.0 mm), connection depths (4, 6, and 8 mm), and tapers (2°, 4°, 6°, and 8°) were constructed. A force of 170 N was applied to the top surface of the abutment either vertically or 45° obliquely. The maximum von Mises bone‐stress values in the crestal bone surrounding the implant were statistically analyzed using analysis of variance. In addition, patterns of bone stress around the implant were examined. Results: The results demonstrate that a smaller abutment diameter and a longer abutment connection significantly reduced the bone stresses (P <0.0001) in vertical and oblique loading conditions. Moreover, when the tapered abutment–implant interfaced connection was more parallel, bone stresses under vertical loading were less (P = 0.0002), whereas the abutment taper did not show significant effects on bone stresses under oblique loading (P = 0.83). Bone stresses were mainly influenced by the abutment diameter, followed by the abutment connection depth and the abutment taper. Conclusion: For an internal tapered abutment design, it was suggested that a narrower and deeper abutment–implant interface produced the biomechanical advantage of reducing the stress concentration in the crestal region around an implant.     

A three-dimensional finite element analysis of a passive and friction fit implant abutment interface and the influence of occlusal table dimension on the stress distribution pattern on the implant and surrounding bone

Aims:

The aim of the study was to evaluate the stress distribution pattern in the implant and the surrounding bone for a passive and a friction fit implant abutment interface and to analyze the influence of occlusal table dimension on the stress generated.

Materials and Methods:

CAD models of two different types of implant abutment connections, the passive fit or the slip-fit represented by the Nobel Replace Tri-lobe connection and the friction fit or active fit represented by the Nobel active conical connection were made. The stress distribution pattern was studied at different occlusal dimension. Six models were constructed in PRO-ENGINEER 05 of the two implant abutment connection for three different occlusal dimensions each. The implant and abutment complex was placed in cortical and cancellous bone modeled using a computed tomography scan. This complex was subjected to a force of 100 N in the axial and oblique direction. The amount of stress and the pattern of stress generated were recorded on a color scale using ANSYS 13 software.

Results:

The results showed that overall maximum Von Misses stress on the bone is significantly less for friction fit than the passive fit in any loading conditions stresses on the implant were significantly higher for the friction fit than the passive fit. The narrow occlusal table models generated the least amount of stress on the implant abutment interface.

Conclusion:

It can thus be concluded that the conical connection distributes more stress to the implant body and dissipates less stress to the surrounding bone. A narrow occlusal table considerably reduces the occlusal overload.Key Words: Conical connection, friction fit interface, implant abutment interface, occlusal table dimension, passive fit interface, Tri-lobe connection     

The implant neck: smooth or provided with retention elements. A biomechanical approach.

A combined three-dimensional and axisymmetric finite element analysis was made of the effect upon the peak interfacial shear stress of providing an axially loaded mandibular dental implant with retention elements all the way up to the crest of the implant as opposed to a smooth neck. The effect of increased wall thickness of the implant and of using bi-cortical fixation as opposed to unicortical fixation was also studied. Retention elements at the implant neck were found to bring about a major decrease in the peak interfacial shear stress. Increased wall thickness and bi-cortical fixation also resulted in decreased peak interfacial shear stress but this effect was minor. The interpretation of this was that all these three measures increase the capacity of the implant to carry axial loads. Thus from a biomechanical viewpoint it appears to be advantageous to provide the neck of screw-shaped implants with retention elements, for example a rough surface of suitable micro-architecture and/or a microbhyphen;thread. It is furthermore suggested that retention elements at the implant neck will counteract marginal bone resorption in accordance with Wolff's law. This paper is a revision of: Hansson, S. (1997) Some steps to improve the capacity of dental implants to resist axial loads. In: Hansson, S., ed. Towards an optimized dental implant and implant bridge design: A bio-mechanical approach. Thesis. Göteborg; Chalmers University of Technology.     

Study of Biomechanics of Porous Coated Root Form Implant Using Overdenture Attachment: A 3D FEA

The purpose of this article is to do a three-dimensional finite element stress analysis, in relation to root form implant supported by overdenture attachment, during axial and non-axial loading. Two porous coated Titanium–aluminum–vanadium (Ti–6Al–4V) implants with overdenture abutment were embedded in both simple and 3D model of interforaminal region of mandible. The material properties of tissue ingrowth bonded interface were calculated considering Iso-Strain condition. The masticatory forces: axial load of 35 N, a horizontal load of 10 N, and an oblique load of 120 N, was applied for the two qualities of cancellous bone. It implied that porous topography of the implant led to optimal stress transfer at the tissue ingrowth bonded interface and insignificant punching stress at the apex than a smooth surface implant. The inferior bone quality was deformed even under physiologic loads and showed wider stress pattern. Simulated implant abutment to implant bone interface stress may be significantly affected by the quality of the bone and the surface topography of the implant. The interface is affected to a lesser extent by the prosthetic material properties. Threedimensional anatomical model was more close to reality than the geometry of much simpler altered models.     

Effects of the Implant Design on Peri‐Implant Bone Stress and Abutment Micromovement: Three‐Dimensional Finite Element Analysis of Original Computer‐Aided Design Models

Background: Occlusal overloading causes peri‐implant bone resorption. Previous studies examined stress distribution in alveolar bone around commercial implants using three‐dimensional (3D) finite element analysis. However, the commercial implants contained some different designs. The purpose of this study is to reveal the effect of the target design on peri‐implant bone stress and abutment micromovement. Methods: Six 3D implant models were created for different implant–abutment joints: 1) internal joint model (IM); 2) external joint model (EM); 3) straight abutment (SA) shape; 4) tapered abutment (TA) shapes; 5) platform switching (PS) in the IM; and 6) modified TA neck design (reverse conical neck [RN]). A static load of 100 N was applied to the basal ridge surface of the abutment at a 45‐degree oblique angle to the long axis of the implant. Both stress distribution in peri‐implant bone and abutment micromovement in the SA and TA models were analyzed. Results: Compressive stress concentrated on labial cortical bone and tensile stress on the palatal side in the EM and on the labial side in the IM. There was no difference in maximum principal stress distribution for SA and TA models. Tensile stress concentration was not apparent on labial cortical bone in the PS model (versus IM). Maximum principal stress concentrated more on peri‐implant bone in the RN than in the TA model. The TA model exhibited less abutment micromovement than the SA model. Conclusion: This study reveals the effects of the design of specific components on peri‐implant bone stress and abutment displacement after implant‐supported single restoration in the anterior maxilla.     

Influence of Implant Connection Type on the Biomechanical Environment of Immediately Placed Implants – CT‐Based Nonlinear,Three‐Dimensional Finite Element Analysis

Purpose: The purpose of the present study was to evaluate the biomechanical environment of immediately placed implants, before and after osseointegration, by comparing three different implant‐abutment connection types. Materials and Methods: A computer tomography‐based finite element model of an upper central incisor extraction socket was constructed containing implants with either external hex, internal hex, or Morse‐taper connection. Frictional contact elements were used in the bone, implant, abutment, and abutment screw interfaces in the immediately placed simulations. In osseointegrated simulations, the repair of bone alveolar defect and a glued bone‐to‐implant interface were assumed. By analysis of variance, the influence was assessed of connection type, clinical situation, and loading magnitude on the peak equivalent strain in the bone, peak von Mises stress in the abutment screw, bone‐to‐implant relative displacement, and abutment gap. Results: The loading magnitudes had a significant contribution, regardless of the assessed variable. However, the critical clinical situation of an immediately placed implant itself was the main factor affecting the peak equivalent strain in the bone and bone‐to‐implant displacement. The largest influence of the connection type in this protocol was seen on the peak equivalent stress in the abutment screw. On the other hand, a higher influence of the various connection types on bone stress/strain could be noted in osseointegrated simulations. Conclusions: The implant‐abutment connection design did not significantly influence the biomechanical environment of immediately placed implants. Avoiding implant overloading and ensuring a sufficient initial intraosseous stability are the most relevant parameters for the promotion of a safe biomechanical environment in this protocol.     

Biomechanical aspects of marginal bone resorption around osseointegrated implants: considerations based on a three-dimensional finite element analysis

OBJECTIVES: Although bone loss around implants is reported as a complication when it progresses uncontrolled, resorption does not always lead to implant loss, but may be the result of biomechanical adaptation to stress. To verify this hypothesis, a three-dimensional finite element analysis was performed and the influence of marginal bone resorption amount and shape on stress in the bone and implant was investigated. MATERIAL AND METHODS: A total of nine bone models with an implant were created: a non-resorption (Base) model and eight variations, in which three different resorption depths were combined with pure vertical or conical (vertical-horizontal) resorption. Axial and buccolingual forces were applied independently to the occlusal node at the center of the superstructure. RESULTS: Regardless of load direction, bone stresses were higher in the pure vertical resorption (A) models than in the Base model, and increased with resorption depth. However, cortical bone stress was much lower in the conical resorption models than in both the Base and A models of the same resorption depth. An opposite tendency was observed in the cancellous bone under buccolingual load. Under buccolingual load, highest stress in the implant increased linearly with the resorption depth for all the models and its location approached the void existing below the abutment screw. CONCLUSIONS: The results of this analysis suggest that a certain amount of conical resorption may be the result of biomechanical adaptation of bone to stress. However, as bone resorption progresses, the increasing stresses in the cancellous bone and implant under lateral load may result in implant failure.     

Magnitude and direction of mechanical stress at the osseointegrated interface of the microthread implant

Background: The mechanism by which the microthread implant preserves peri‐implant crestal bone is not known. The objective of this research is to assess the effect of microthreads on the magnitude and direction of the stress at the bone–implant interface using finite element analysis modeling. Methods: Three‐dimensional finite element models representing the microthreaded implant (microthread model) and smooth surface implant (smooth model) installed in the mandibular premolar region were created based on microscopic and computed tomography images. The mesh size was determined based on convergence tests. Average maximum bite force of adults was used with four loading angles on the occlusal surface of the prosthesis. Results: Regardless of the loading angle, principal stresses at the bone–implant interface of the microthread model were always perpendicular to the lower flank of each microthread. In the smooth model, stresses were affected by the loading angle and directed obliquely to the smooth interface, resulting in higher shear stress. The interfacial stresses decreased gradually in the apical direction in both models but with wavy pattern in the microthread model and smooth curve for the smooth model. Although peak principal stress values were higher around the microthread implant, peri‐implant bone volume exhibiting a high strain level >4,000 μ was smaller around the microthread implant compared to the smooth implant. Conclusion: Stress‐transferring mechanism at the bone–implant interface characterized by the direction and profile of interfacial stresses, which leads to more compressive and less shear stress, may clarify the biomechanical aspect of microthread dental implants.     

Effect of conical configuration of fixture on the maintenance of marginal bone level: preliminary results at 1 year of function

Objectives: To evaluate and to compare the effect of the conical neck design on marginal bone loss around the fixtures, when both implants were provided with micro‐threads to the top of the fixture. Materials and methods: Two types of implant, one with a straight shape (S) and the other with a conical neck design (C) provided with a retentive element to the top of the fixture, were placed adjacent to each other in the partially edentulous areas of 12 patients. Bone loss around each implant was analyzed after 1 year of functional loading. The bone losses after loading were compared using Wilcoxon's signed‐rank test. Results: The mean marginal bone losses (S, 0.05±0.09 mm; C, 0.07±0.14 mm) were not statistically significant between the two groups (P=0.578). Conclusions: There was no significant difference between conical and straight neck implants in terms of marginal bone loss after 1 year of loading. To cite this article:
Kim J‐J, Lee D‐W, Kim C‐K, Park K‐H, Moon I‐S. Effect of conical configuration of fixture on the maintenance of marginal bone level: preliminary results at 1 year of function.
Clin. Oral Impl. Res. 21 , 2010; 439–444
doi: 10.1111/j.1600‐0501.2009.01871.x     

A finite element analysis of two different dental implants: stress distribution in the prosthesis, abutment, implant, and supporting bone

This study evaluates the influence of 2 commercially available dental implant systems on stress distribution in the prosthesis, abutment, implant, and supporting alveolar bone under simulated occlusal forces, employing a finite element analysis. The implants and abutments evaluated consisted of a stepped cylinder implant connected to a screw-retained, internal, hexagonal abutment (system 1) and a conical implant connected to a solid, internal, conical abutment (system 2). A porcelain-covered, silver-palladium alloy was used as a crown. In each case, a simulated, 100-N vertical load was applied to the buccal cusp. A finite element model was created based on the physical properties of each component, and the values of the von Mises stresses generated in the prosthesis, abutment, implant, and supporting alveolar bone were calculated. In the prostheses, the maximum von Mises stresses were concentrated at the points of load application in both systems, and they were greater in system 1 (148 N/mm2) than in system 2 (55 N/mm2). Stress was greater on the abutment of system 2 than of system 1 on both the buccal (342 N/mm2 x 294 N/mm2) and lingual (294 N/mm2 x 148 N/ mm2) faces. Stress in the cortical, alveolar bone crest was greater in system 1 than in system 2 (buccal: 99.5 N/mm2 x 55 N/mm2, lingual: 55 N/mm2 x 24.5 N/mm2, respectively). Within the limits of this investigation, the stepped cylinder implant connected to a screw-retained, internal hexagonal abutment produces greater stresses on the alveolar bone and prosthesis and lower stresses on the abutment complex. In contrast, the conical implant connected to a solid, internal, conical abutment furnishes lower stresses on the alveolar bone and prosthesis and greater stresses on the abutment.     

Marginal bone levels at single tooth implants with a conical fixture design. The influence of surface macro‐ and microstructure

The concept of a conical implant design to accommodate single tooth replacement, has previously been shown to result in excessive bone loss, around the machined titanium conical collar, usually down to the 1st thread. This unusually aggressive loss of bone was shown to occur within a short period of time, post loading, with greater than 3 mm of bone loss occurring within the 1st 6 months to 1 year. The influence of implant design, surface texture and microleakage have all been highlighted as a potential cause. A modification of the surface structure, both at the macroscopic and microscopic level, as well as an altered fixture‐abutment interface design has resulted in the maintenance of marginal bone around a single tooth titanium implant with a similar conical design. The radiographic follow‐up of 33 implants loaded for up to 4 years, has revealed, by comparison, a most favourable maintenance of marginal bone around the conical collar, with a mean marginal bone loss of 0.32 mm mesially and 0.34 mm distally for the whole group. The cumulative mean marginal bone loss mesially and distally is 0.42 mm and 0.40 mm from 1 to 2 years, 0.54 mm and 0.43 mm from 2 to 3 years, 0.51 mm and 0.24 mm from 3 to 4 years, and 0.62 mm and 0.60 mm for implants past their 4 year recall.     

Stress analysis in platform-switching implants: a 3-dimensional finite element study

The aim of this study was to evaluate the influence of the platform-switching technique on stress distribution in implant, abutment, and peri-implant tissues, through a 3-dimensional finite element study. Three 3-dimensional mandibular models were fabricated using the SolidWorks 2006 and InVesalius software. Each model was composed of a bone block with one implant 10 mm long and of different diameters (3.75 and 5.00 mm). The UCLA abutments also ranged in diameter from 5.00 mm to 4.1 mm. After obtaining the geometries, the models were transferred to the software FEMAP 10.0 for pre- and postprocessing of finite elements to generate the mesh, loading, and boundary conditions. A total load of 200 N was applied in axial (0°), oblique (45°), and lateral (90°) directions. The models were solved by the software NeiNastran 9.0 and transferred to the software FEMAP 10.0 to obtain the results that were visualized through von Mises and maximum principal stress maps. Model A (implants with 3.75 mm/abutment with 4.1 mm) exhibited the highest area of stress concentration with all loadings (axial, oblique, and lateral) for the implant and the abutment. All models presented the stress areas at the abutment level and at the implant/abutment interface. Models B (implant with 5.0 mm/abutment with 5.0 mm) and C (implant with 5.0 mm/abutment with 4.1 mm) presented minor areas of stress concentration and similar distribution pattern. For the cortical bone, low stress concentration was observed in the peri-implant region for models B and C in comparison to model A. The trabecular bone exhibited low stress that was well distributed in models B and C. Model A presented the highest stress concentration. Model B exhibited better stress distribution. There was no significant difference between the large-diameter implants (models B and C).     

Bone reactions to longstanding functional load at implants: an experimental study in dogs

Objectives: The aims of the present investigation were (i) to study marginal bone level alterations following implant installation, abutment connection and functional loading and (ii) to analyse bone tissue reactions to functional load. Material and Methods: Six beagle dogs, about 1‐year old, were used. All mandibular pre‐molars were extracted. Three months later four implants of the Astra Tech Implants^® Dental System were installed in one side of the mandible and four standard fixtures of the Brånemark System^® were placed in the contralateral side of the mandible. Abutment connection was performed 3 months later and a plaque control programme was initiated. Three months after abutment connection fixed partial dentures (FPDs) made in gold were cemented to the maxillary canines and pre‐molars. FPDs were also connected to the three posterior implants in each side of the mandible, while the mesial implant in each side was used as an unloaded control. Radiographs were obtained from all implant sites following implant installation, abutment connection and FPD placement. Ten months after the FPD placement the radiographic examination was repeated. The animals were sacrificed and biopsies from all implant sites were obtained and prepared for histological analysis. Results: The radiographic analysis revealed that largest amount of bone loss occurred following implant installation and abutment connection and that this loss was more pronounced at Brånemark than at Astra implants. The bone level alterations that were observed at implants exposed to 10 months of functional load in both implant systems were small and did not differ from control sites. The histological analysis revealed that implants exposed to functional load exhibited a higher degree of bone‐to‐implant contact than control implants in both implant systems. Conclusion: It is suggested that functional load at implants may enhance osseointegration and does not result in marginal bone loss.     

Bone alterations at implant‐supported FDPs in relation to inter‐unit distances: a 5‐year radiographic study

Objectives: The aim of this 5‐year study was to longitudinally evaluate bone alterations around implants with a conical implant–abutment interface in relation to implant–tooth and inter–implant distances. Material and methods: The patient sample comprised 43 partially dentate patients with a total of 48 implant‐supported fixed dental prostheses (FDPs) supported by 130 Astra Tech^® implants. Following FDP placement (baseline), the patients were enrolled in an individually designed supportive care program. Radiographic examinations were performed at the time of FDP installation, 1 and 5 years of follow‐up. Variables regarding implant position and proximal bone topography at tooth/implant units (n=36) and implant/implant units (n=67) were assessed with the use of a software program after scanning of the radiographs. Results: At tooth/implant units, the mean 5‐year marginal bone loss at the tooth, the implant and the mid‐proximal bone crest was 0.1, 0.4 and 0.2 mm, respectively. The mean longitudinal bone loss at the implant/implant units was 0.5 mm at the implants and 0.3 mm mid‐proximally. Multilevel regression analysis revealed that at implant/implant units, the change in the bone‐to‐implant contact level was a significant predictor with regard to the 5‐year mid‐proximal bone‐level change, whereas the horizontal inter‐unit distance showed a borderline significance (P=0.052). At tooth/implant units, no statistically significant associations were identified. Conclusions: The results of this 5‐year study revealed differences between inter‐implant and tooth–implant proximal areas with regard to bone crest alterations and associated factors. To cite this article:
Chang M, Wennström JL. Bone alterations at implant‐supported FDPs in relation to inter‐unit distances: a 5‐year radiographic study.
Clin. Oral Impl. Res. 21 , 2010; 735–740.
doi: 10.1111/j.1600‐0501.2009.01893.x     

The biomechanical analysis of relative position between implant and alveolar bone: finite element method

Background: The purpose of this study is to analyze biomechanical interactions in the alveolar bone surrounding implants with smaller‐diameter abutments by changing position of the fixture–abutment interface, loading direction, and thickness of cortical bone using the finite element method. Methods: Twenty different finite element models including four types of cortical bone thickness (0.5, 1, 1.5, and 2 mm) and five implant positions relative to bone crest (subcrestal 1, implant shoulder 1 mm below bone crest; subcrestal 0.5, implant shoulder 0.5 mm below bone crest; at crestal implant shoulder even with bone crest; supracrestal 0.5, implant shoulder 0.5 mm above bone crest; and supracrestal 1, implant shoulder 1 mm above bone crest) were analyzed. All models were simulated under two different loading angles (0 and 45 degrees) relative to the long axis of the implant, respectively. The three factors of implant position, loading type, and thickness of cortical bone were computed for all models. Results: The results revealed that loading type and implant position were the main factors affecting the stress distribution in bone. The stress values of implants in the supracrestal 1 position were higher than all other implant positions. Additionally, compared with models under axial load, the stress values of models under off‐axis load increased significantly. Conclusions: Both loading type and implant position were crucial for stress distribution in bone. The supracrestal 1 implant position may not be ideal to avoid overloading the alveolar bone surrounding implants.     

Dimensional profile of oral mucosa around combined tooth-implant-supported bridgework in macaque mandible

Purpose: A stable oral mucosa is crucial for long‐term survival and biofunctionality of implants. Most of this evidence is derived from clinical and animal studies based solely on implant‐supported prosthesis. Much less is known about the dimensions and relationships of this soft tissue complex investing tooth‐implant‐supported bridgework (TISB). The aim here was to obtain experimental evidence on the dimensional characteristics of oral mucosa around TISB with two different abutment designs. Methods: Sixteen 3‐unit TISB were constructed bilaterally in the mandible of eight adult Macaca fascicularis. An implant system with a standard progressive thread design was the bone‐anchoring implant in the second mandibular molar region while the second mandibular premolar served as the natural tooth abutment. Eight implants were connected with the tapered abutment, the remaining with butt‐joint abutment, in a split‐mouth design. These were allowed to functional load for 6 months before sacrification for histomorphometry. Six soft tissue indices were scored: coronal gingival mucosa‐to‐implant top distance (DIM); sulcus depth (SD); junctional epithelium (JE); connective tissue contact (CTC); implant top to first bone‐to‐implant contact distance (DIB); and biologic width (BW=SD+JE+CTC); corresponding parameters in the natural tooth abutment were also measured. Results: Mucosal dimensions in tapered implants (^*BW=3.33±0.43; SD=1.03±0.24; JE=1.08±0.13; CTC=1.22±0.23 mm) were comparable with those of natural tooth abutments (BW=3.04±0.18; SD=0.93±0.1; JE=0.78±0.1; Attachment=1.33±0.09 mm), but differed from butt‐joint implants (^*BW=4.88±1.24; SD=1.47±0.38; JE=1.49±0.4; CTC=1.92±0.93 mm) (^*P<0.05). Conclusions: Results suggested that soft tissue dimensions around TISB are influenced by the implant–abutment interface and abutment material used. Mucosa investing tapered abutment tends to recapitulate soft tissue physiologic dimensions of natural tooth. To cite this article:
Siar CH, Toh CG, Ali TBT, Seiz D, Ong ST. Dimensional profile of oral mucosa around combined tooth‐implant‐supported bridgework in macaque mandible.
Clin. Oral Impl. Res. 23 , 2012 438–446.
doi: 10.1111/j.1600‐0501.2010.02145.x     

Three-dimensional finite element analysis of the influence of an abutment buffer layer on implant stress distribution

目的 应用三维有限元法分析动态载荷下基台缓冲层对种植体应力分布的影响。方法 根据CT扫描数据建立种植体在人类下颌骨的三维实体几何模型,在种植体上方分别制作基台无缓冲层和基台有缓冲层的修复体,缓冲部分由高聚合度聚氯乙稀制作。分别对2种修复体施加垂直向载荷200 N、水平向载荷100 N（45°）,加载集中于种植体顶部中心。通过三维有限元法分析种植体、中央螺栓、基台的体部和颈部以及下颌骨各部位受到的应力。结果 基台有缓冲层时种植体、中央螺栓、基台的体部和颈部以及下颌骨各部位上受到的应力均明显小于基台无缓冲层时。结论 基台有缓冲层可显著降低种植体、中央螺栓、基台以及下颌骨各部位受到的应力。     

Marginal Bone Resorption at Different Treatment Concepts Using Brånemark Dental Implants in Anterior Mandibles

Background: Different implant treatment modalities, one‐ and two‐step surgery, and one‐step surgery combined with early functional loading have successfully been used in the anterior mandible for rehabilitation of edentulism. However, the marginal bone remodeling has not been compared among the three different techniques. Purpose: The purpose was to compare the marginal bone level in a short‐ and long‐term perspective study using Brånemark dental implants placed according to either a one‐ or a two‐step surgical procedure or a one‐step surgical procedure combined with early functional loading. Materials and Methods: Seven patients were treated with a split‐mouth technique with a one‐step surgical technique on one side and a two‐step technique on the other side. In this latter group, the fixtures were submerged during a 3‐ to 4‐month healing period before abutment connection and loading. In 13 patients, following one‐step surgery, the permanent prosthetic suprastructure was connected within 20 days from implant surgery. All patients were operated on by the same surgeon. The level of the marginal bone was radiographically measured relative to the fixture‐abutment junction and was followed up to 5 years from fixture installation. Results: After connection of the supraconstruction, the marginal bone resorption was significantly lower in the early functional loading group compared to the one‐ and two‐step surgical technique groups. However, after 18 months and after 5 years, the marginal bone was located approximately 1 mm apical to the fixture—abutment level in all three groups. Conclusion: There was no difference in marginal bone resorption in a long‐term perspective between one‐ and two‐step surgical procedures and a one‐step surgical procedure with early functional loading of Brånemark dental implants.