Purpose: To evaluate the effect of implant body diameter, platform diameter, and the use of transepithelial components on implant-abutment connection (IAC) microgap width.
Materials and Methods: In total, 16 tests were performed on four commercial dental restoration models (BTI Biotechnology Institute). Different static loads were applied to the embedded implants according to the International Organization for Standardization (ISO) 14801, using a customized loading device. Measurements of the microgap were taken by means of highly magnified x-ray projection in situ in a micro-CT scanner. Regression models were obtained and compared through an analysis of covariance (ANCOVA). To quantify the effect of each variable, t tests (α = .05) of experimental results were performed.
Results: Under 400 N, using a transepithelial component for the dental restoration, the microgap width was reduced by 20% (P = .044). Meanwhile, a 22% microgap reduction was observed when the implant body diameter was increased by 1 mm (P = .024). Finally, increasing the platform diameter by 1.4 mm led to a microgap reduction of 54% (P = .001).
Conclusion: The use of a transepithelial component in dental restorations reduces the microgap width in IACs. Furthermore, given sufficient space for the implantation, larger implant bodies and platform diameters can also be used for this purpose.
Keywords: dental implants, microgap, implant-abutment connection, x-ray imaging, in-situ loading
