Evaluation of the Interface Between Titanium-Zirconium Alloyed Dental Implants with Different Abutment Materials: An In-vitro Biomechanical Study

For long term success of implant-supported restorations, the physical/mechanical properties of the relationship in the implant-abutment (I-A) interface is crucial to prevent biological or mechanical complications or both. Accordingly, regardless of I-A connection type (i.e conical, butt joint), material properties and their interaction under function is also important. This refers to machining tolerance of the implant and the abutment at fabrication and their behaviour to the micro-movements. A recent systematic study confirmed material differences at the I-A interface likely to lead to microleakage, and zirconium abutments with titanium implants are not suggested (1). Today, specifically narrow-diameter implants with improved mechanical properties by alloying titanium with zirconium is commonly used specifically at the functional zone. This option even more complicates the mechanical behaviour at the I-A interface due to material differences. Although the I-A interface and the wear characteristics of Ti implants when coupled with Ti or Zr abutments have been presented earlier(2), the joint stability between Ti-Zr implant with Zr- or Ti-abutment is unclear. The aim of this study was to explore the effect of Ti-Zr implant material on the interface between 1-piece zirconia and two different titanium abutments using scanning electron microscopy (SEM).