Influence of Abutment Angle on Implant Strain When Supporting a Distal Extension Removable Partial Dental Prosthesis: An In Vitro Study.

PURPOSE: This study evaluated the impact of angled abutments on strain in implants supporting a distal extension removable partial denture.

MATERIALS AND METHODS: An in vitro model of an implant supporting a distal extension removable partial denture was developed. The implant was positioned with a 17- or 30-degree mesial inclination, with either a healing abutment or a corrective multiunit abutment. Levels of strain under load were compared, and the results were compared using t test (P = .05).

RESULTS: Correcting angulation with a multiunit angled abutment significantly decreased strain (P < .05) when compared with a healing abutment.

CONCLUSION: An angled abutment decreased the strain on an inclined implant significantly more than a healing abutment when loaded under a distal extension removable partial denture.