Description and Evaluation of a Simplified Method to Achieve Passive Fit Between Cast Titanium Frameworks and Implants

Because osseointegrated implants have no resilience in bone, passive fit between dental implants and prosthetic superstructures has been identified, both from biologic and mechanical perspectives, as a potential discriminating prognostic factor. Distortion of the metal framework during the casting procedure has been cited as a main cause of misfit. The objectives of the present article were to describe a recently presented method (CrescoTi Precision method) intended to correct for distortion in cast titanium frameworks, and to elucidate and evaluate the method by photoelastic and strain gauge techniques. The method appears to be an efficient and accurate procedure for correcting for distortion in cast titanium frameworks. Keywords: cast framework, dental implants, distortion, laser welding, misfit, passive fit, photoelastic analysis, precision of fit, strain gauge analysis, titanium