Fracture Strength of Conometric Joint Implants Versus Internal Hexagon Abutment Joint Design: An In Vitro Study.

Abstract

The dental implant is an effective long-term procedure for oral edentulism due to its efficacy to support functional masticatory loading forces. The implant prosthetic joint is considered a key factor for interface stability due to its biological and biomechanical implications. The present investigation aimed to evaluate the fracture strength of 2 different implant prosthetic joints. This investigation tested 10 implants for each group: a conometric implant joint (group I) and internal hexagon implant (group II). The implant abutment joint was coupled using a calibrated torquemeter. The samples were assessed using a loading fracture test and radiographically evaluated to observe the interface changes and deformations. The means and standard deviations of the group I and group II maximum force (N) were 553 ± 51 N and 432 ± 43 N. The Young elastic modulus of group I and group II implants were 183.97 ± 11.71 GPa and 143.72 ± 15.93 GPa. The conometric joint was reported to have a higher strength than the regular internal hexagon implant connection. The study findings could have clinical implications for implant durability and peri-implant tissue stability in favor of the conical joint design.