In-vitro fatigue and fracture performance of three different ferrulized implant connections used in fixed prosthesis.

BACKGROUND/PURPOSE: The aim of the present in vitro study was to evaluate fatigue resistance of dental fixtures in three different types of fixture/abutment finishing line.

MATERIALS AND

METHODS

Transmucosal dental implants, with or without ferrulized neck, underwent fatigue tests (static and dynamic load) using the following standard protocol: UNI EN ISO 14801:2016. Two types of loading devices (screw- or cement-retained restoration) were also tested, and fatigue cycle tests were run to failure. Data of static and dynamic load tests were analyzed by proper statistical methods.

RESULTS

Following standard protocol for fatigue testing, the ILC type (Implant Level with ferrulized neck and cement-retained crown) showed a non-significant but higher Ultimate Failure Load (UFL = 445.7 N) compared to AL type (Abutment Level without ferrule effect, 421.6 N) and ILS type (Implant Level with ferrulized neck and Screw-retained crown, 362.8 N). No fracture of the titanium-base was registered in the tested specimens during the static loadings. Permanent deformations of the materials were observed.

CONCLUSION

The number of cycles to either fracture or deformation (higher than 4 mm) occurring during fatigue tests showed that the stress rupture curve of the materials in group ILS appeared to be significantly different from those of the ILC and AL groups (p-values < 0.01): much higher life of one-half order of magnitude.