Load to failure of different zirconia implant abutments with titanium components.

STATEMENT OF PROBLEM: Abutments with a zirconia superstructure and a titanium insert have recently become popular. Although they have been tested under static load, their performance under simulated mastication is not well known.

PURPOSE: The purpose of this in vitro study was to compare the cyclic load to failure of 3 types of zirconia abutments with different mechanisms of retention of the zirconia to the titanium interface.

MATERIAL AND METHODS: Fifteen implants (n=5 per system) and abutments (3 groups: 5 friction fit [Frft]; 5 bonded; and 5 titanium ring friction fit [Ringfrft]) were used. Abutments were thermocycled in water between 5°C and 55°C for 15000 cycles and then cyclically loaded for 20000 cycles or until failure at a frequency of 2 Hz by using a sequentially increased loading protocol up to a maximum of 720 N. The load to failure for each group was recorded, and 1-way analysis of variance was performed.

RESULTS: The mean load-to-failure values for the Frft group was 526 N, for the Bond group 605 N, and for the Ringfrft group 288 N. A statistically significant difference was found among all abutments tested (P<.05).

CONCLUSIONS: Abutments with the bonded connection showed the highest load-to-failure value, and the abutment with the titanium ring friction fit connection showed the lowest load-to-failure value.