In Vitro Microbiological Analysis of Bacterial Seal at the Implant-Abutment Interface Using Two Morse Taper Implant Models

Biomechanical evaluation of abutment stability in morse taper implant connections in different times: A retrospective clinical study compared with an in vitro analysis

Objectives

Micromotion between a dental implant and abutment can adversely affect clinical performance and compromise successful osseointegration by creating a bacterial harbor, enabling screw loosening, and imparting disruptive lateral forces on the cortical bone. Thus, the aim of the present study was to measure the abutment stability evolution using resonance frequency analysis (RFA) in vivo at four different times (baseline, 3, 4, and 12 months), and compare these data obtained with the RFA measured after mechanical cycling (in vitro) corresponding to the proposed times in numbers of cycles.

Methods

To evaluate the abutment stability, RFA was performed in 70 sets of implant/abutment (IA) with a total of 54 patients (31 women, 23 men). These IA sets were divided into three groups, according to the abutment angulation: straight abutment (Abt1 group), 17-degree angled abutment (Abt2 group), and 30-degree angled abutment (Abt3 group). Abutment stability was measured immediately at implant placement and the abutment installation (T1), 3 (T2), 4 (T3), and 12 months (T4) later. For the in vitro analysis, ten sets of each group were submitted to mechanical cycling: T1 = 0 cycles, T2 = 90,000 cycles, T3 = 120,000 cycles, and T4 = 360,000 cycles. All data collected were statistically evaluated using the GraphPad Prism 5.01 software, with the level of significance was α = 0.05.

Results

In vivo, the overall data of implant stability quotient (ISQ) values obtained for all groups in each evaluation time were 61.5 ± 3.94 (95% CI: [60-63]) at T1, 62.8 ± 3.73 (95% CI, [61-64]) at T2, 63.4 ± 3.08 (95% CI: [61-64]) at T3, and 65.5 ± 4.33 (95% CI: [63-68]) at T4. Whereas in vitro, the ISQ were 61.5 ± 2.66 (95% CI: [59-63]) at T1, 63.2 ± 3.02 (95% CI, [61-65]) at T2, 63.9 ± 2.55 (95% CI: [62-66]) at T3, and 66.5 ± 2.97 (95% CI: [64-68]) at T4. In both evaluations (in vivo and in vitro), the data showed a significant difference (ANOVA test with p < 0.0001).

Conclusions

The RFA to measure the abutment stability used in this study showed that there was a progressive increase in stability among the predetermined times for the measurements, in both analysis (in vivo and in vitro). Furthermore, the values at each time point were similar, with no statistical difference between them.

Marginal Bone Level and Biomechanical Behavior of Titanium-Indexed Abutment Base of Conical Connection Used for Single Ceramic Crowns on Morse-Taper Implant: A Clinical Retrospective Study

The goal of this retrospective clinical study was to evaluate the behavior of Morse-taper indexed abutments by analyzing the marginal bone level (MBL) after at least 12 months of function. Patients rehabilitated with single ceramic crowns between May 2015 and December 2020 received single Morse-taper connection implants (DuoCone implant) with two-piece straight abutment baseT used for at least 12 months, presenting periapical radiograph immediately after crown installation were enrolled. The position of the rehabilitated tooth and arch (maxilla or mandible), crown installation period, implant dimensions, abutment transmucosal height, installation site (immediate implant placement or healed area), associated with bone regeneration, immediate provisionalization, and complications after installation of the final crown were analyzed. The initial and final MBL was evaluated by comparing the initial and final X-rays. The level of significance was α = 0.05. Seventy-five patients (49 women and 26 men) enrolled had a mean period of evaluation of 22.7 ± 6.2 months. Thirty-one implant-abutment (IA) sets had between 12–18 months, 34 between 19–24 months, and 44 between 25–33 months. Only one patient failed due to an abutment fracture after 25 months of function. Fifty-eight implants were placed in the maxilla (53.2%) and 51 in the mandible (46.8%). Seventy-four implants were installed in healed sites (67.9%), and 35 were in fresh socket sites (32.1%). Thirty-two out of these 35 implants placed in fresh sockets had the gap filled with bone graft particles. Twenty-six implants received immediate provisionalization. The average MBL was −0.67 ± 0.65 mm in mesial and −0.70 ± 0.63 mm in distal (p = 0.5072). The most important finding was the statistically significant difference comparing the values obtained for MBL between the abutments with different transmucosal height portions, which were better for abutments with heights greater than 2.5 mm. Regarding the abutments’ diameter, 58 had 3.5 mm (53.2%) and 51 had 4.5 mm (46.8%). There was no statistical difference between them, with the following means and standard deviation, respectively, −0.57 ± 0.53 mm (mesial) and −0.66 ± 0.50 mm (distal), and −0.78 ± 0.75 mm (mesial) and −0.746 ± 0.76 mm (distal). Regarding the implant dimensions, 24 implants were 3.5 mm (22%), and 85 implants (78%) had 4.0 mm. In length, 51 implants had 9 mm (46.8%), 25 had 11 mm (22.9%), and 33 implants were 13 mm (30.3%). There was no statistical difference between the abutment diameters (p > 0.05). Within the limitations of this study, it was possible to conclude that better behavior and lesser marginal bone loss were observed when using abutment heights greater than 2.5 mm of transmucosal portion and when placed implants with 13 mm length. Furthermore, this type of abutment showed a little incidence of failures within the period analyzed in our study.

Microbiological analysis of bacterial sealing of internal conical implants with different taper angles

The present study evaluated the effect of the taper angle of different internal conical connection implants and cyclic loading on the implant-abutment bacterial seal. A total of 96 implant-abutment sets were divided into eight groups. Four groups of different taper degrees with cyclic mechanical loading of 500,000 cycles per sample, with a 120-N load at 2 Hz before analysis [16DC (16-degree, cycled), 11.5DC (11.5-degree, cycled), 3DC (3- degree, cycled) and 4DC (4- degree, cycled)] were compared to four control groups without cyclic loading [16D (16-degree), 11.5D (11.5-degree), 3D (3-degree), and 4D (4-degree)]. Microbiological analysis was performed by immersing all samples in a suspension containing Escherichia coli and incubating them at 37°C. After 14 days, the presence of bacterial seals was evaluated. Fisher-Freeman-Halton exact tests and binomial tests were performed (5% significance level). The groups showed significant differences in bacterial seal, and mechanical load cycling improved the bacterial seal in the 3DC group. In all other groups, no significant differences in bacterial seal were found between cycled and uncycled samples. To conclude, the internal conical connection with a 3-degree taper angle showed better results than the other connection with different angles when subjected to load cycling. However, none of the angles tested were fully effective in sealing the implant-abutment interface.

Implant-Abutment Connections: A Structured Review

The aim of the study was to carry out a structured review of studies that dealt with types of implant abutment connections, the concept of platform switching and its influence on hard and soft oral tissues. Electronic search was conducted over PubMed, Google Scholar, Medline, Embase to find articles dealing with Implant abutment connection and platform switching. We came across a total of 248 articles, which were filtered to a cumulative 19 articles after cross matching with predetermined inclusion and exclusion criteria. Most of the available literature gravitates in favor of an internal connection with the incorporation of platform switching to attain satisfactory hard and soft tissue outcomes.

In vitro analysis of prosthetic abutment and angulable frictional implant interface adaptation: Mechanical and microbiological study

The aim of this study was to evaluate, in vitro, the microbiological sealing at the implant and different angles frictional prosthetic abutment interface, submitted or not to mechanical cycling, as well as the deactivation force and evaluation of the implant-abutment interface by scanning electron microscopy. For this study, the sealing capacity of eighty sets of abutments/implants of each angle, with and without mechanical cycling, with internal conical connection (locking tapper) (4.3 mm × 9.0 mm) constituted in Titanium alloy (Ti6Al4V), and stainless steel angled prosthetic abutment was evaluated (18Cr14Ni2.5Mo) according to ASTM F138-13a (Arcsys, FGM, Joinville, Brazil), 6 mm high and 4.2 mm in diameter at the coronary portion, and 3.5 mm high transmucosal, in 4 different angles (0, 5, 10 and 20°). After in vitro tests, 100% biological sealing was observed at the implant / prosthetic abutment interface within cycled and non-cycled conditions, for the straight, 5, 10 and 20° inclination groups. There was no statistically significant difference in the removal force of the prosthetic abutments at different angles, under non-cycled conditions; however, under mechanical loading, the deactivation force was significantly higher for straight prosthetic abutments than with 10 and 20° of angulation. Surface analysis revealed good adaptation between implants and abutments, and the presence of wear areas, independently of mechanical loading. It is concluded that the analysis of implant and prosthetic abutment interface revealed good adaptation between the parts, for all analyzed samples.

Influence of abutment angulation on loss of prosthetic abutment torque under mechanical cycling

STATEMENT OF PROBLEM

Internal conical connections provide mechanical stability for the prosthetic abutment and implant connection. However, some clinical situations require the use of angled prosthetic abutments that may increase stress on supportive implants by difference force vectors under cyclic loading.

PURPOSE

The purpose of this in vitro study was to measure the screw loosening values of prosthetic abutments with internal conical connections (indexed and nonindexed) having different angles under mechanical cycling.

MATERIAL AND METHODS

Thirty-six implants (4.0×13 mm, Titamax) with internal conical connections and their respective universal prosthetic abutments (n=36, 3.5×3.3 mm) were divided into indexed and nonindexed groups (n=18) with abutment inclinations of 0 (straight), 17, and 30 degrees. An insertion torque of 15 Ncm was applied according to the manufacturer's specifications. The specimens underwent fatigue testing of 500 000 cycles at a frequency of 2 Hz with a dynamic compressive load of 120 N at an angle of 30 degrees. The detorque values were measured by using a digital torque meter and tabulated for statistical analyses.

RESULTS

The specimens with indexed abutments had mean ±standard deviation detorque values of 6.72 ±2.29 Ncm under mechanical cycling, whereas those with nonindexed abutments had values of 8.98 ±1.84 Ncm. In the indexed group, the lowest detorque value was observed for abutments at 30 degrees compared with the straight group (P<.05). As for nonindexed abutments, similar detorque values were observed after increasing the abutment inclination (P>.05).

CONCLUSIONS

A decrease in detorque values in the indexed abutments related to their inclination was found under mechanical cycling, whereas the prosthetic abutments with 30 degrees of angulation had the lowest values. No decrease was found in the nonindexed abutments.

Avaliação da interface entre o componente protético reto e a conexão interna tipo Cone Morse do implante dentário por meio da microscopia eletrônica de varredura

Resumo Introdução A interface implante-pilar protético e a formação dos seus microgaps são aspectos relevantes na transferência das cargas e na resposta biológica, estando ligadas ao sucesso da reabilitação. Objetivo Avaliar microgaps na interface entre a conexão interna do implante do tipo Cone Morse e a superfície do componente protético por meio da microscopia eletrônica de varredura (MEV). Material e método Foram utilizados 20 implantes dentários de tamanho 3,75 × 11,0mm do tipo Cone Morse com seus respectivos pilares protéticos da Singular® (Singular Implants, RN, Brasil). Os munhões retos foram acoplados aos implantes com torque de 32N/cm2 e o conjunto resultante foi emergido em base de Resina Epóxi ES260, para permitir secção longitudinal da amostra. As amostras foram analisadas e os microgaps mensurados no MEV (JEOL JCM-5700, MA, USA), e posteriormente os dados foram analisados. Resultado A média e o desvio padrão dos maiores microgaps foram observados na parte apical do implante nos lados direito e esquerdo, sendo 1,44±2,68 e 1,16±1,49 μm, respectivamente. Os menores microgaps foram na parte superior do implante nos lados direito e esquerdo, sendo 0,60±0,73 e 0,66±0,67 μm, respectivamente. Contudo, no teste de Kruskal-Wallis, não houve diferença estatisticamente significativa entre as regiões dos implantes, tanto para o lado esquerdo (p=0,692) como para o direito (p=0,865). No teste de Mann-Whitney, não houve diferenças estatisticamente significativas entre os lados para as diferentes regiões dos implantes. Conclusão Mesmo com a presença de microgaps na interface implante-pilar protético, estes apresentam tamanho inferior ao que causaria problemas biológicos e mecânicos. As amostras analisadas quanto à sua compatibilidade de encaixe foram satisfatórias.

Evaluación de la colonización bacteriana de la interfase implante-pilar en implantes de conexión interna: estudio piloto

Introducción: La interfase implante-pilar da lugar a la formación de un espacio, cuyo tamaño varía de acuerdo a variables como las tolerancias de maquinado, los micro-movimientos, el tipo de fabricación de los aditamentos protésicos y el material de los mismos. Este espacio, en cercanía a los tejidos peri-implantares, es una oportunidad para la movilización de microorganismos de forma bidireccional, desencadenando eventualmente respuesta tisular. Objetivo: comparar la filtración de Echerichia coli (E. coli) en la interfase de implantes de conexión interna con pilares prefabricados y personalizados. Materiales y métodos: nueve implantes (Osseotite® Tapered Certain®, 3i Biomet) fueron divididos en tres grupos basados en el tipo de pilar utilizado. Grupo 1 pilares prefabricados Provide®, grupo 2 pilares personalizados Encode® Titanio, grupo 3 pilares personalizados Encode® Zirconia. Los pilares fueron conectados a los implantes y fueron ciclados según la norma ISO 14801:2007 (250.000 ciclos) en un dispositivo de carga dinámica. Fueron sumergidos en caldo infusión cerebro corazón (BHI) inoculado con E. coli. Se tomaron muestras y se midió la turbidez del medio. Se realizó test ANOVA para comparar el tamaño de la interfase implante-pilar. Resultados: se encontró que todas las muestras filtraron en diferentes proporciones. Conclusiones: todas las muestras mostraron filtración de E. coli.

Retention System and Splinting on Morse Taper Implants in the Posterior Maxilla by 3D Finite Element Analysis

Abstract The purpose of this study was to evaluate different retention systems (cement- or screw-retained) and crown designs (non-splinted or splinted) of fixed implant-supported restorations, in terms of stress distributions in implants/components and bone tissue, by 3-dimensional (3D) finite element analysis. Four 3D models were simulated with the InVesalius, Rhinoceros 3D, and SolidWorks programs. Models were made of type III bone from the posterior maxillary area. Models included three 4.0-mm-diameter Morse taper (MT) implants with different lengths, which supported metal-ceramic crowns. Models were processed by the Femap and NeiNastran programs, using an axial force of 400 N and oblique force of 200 N. Results were visualized as the von Mises stress and maximum principal stress (σmax). Under axial loading, there was no difference in the distribution of stress in implants/components between retention systems and splinted crowns; however, in oblique loading, cemented prostheses showed better stress distribution than screwed prostheses, whereas splinted crowns tended to reduce stress in the implant of the first molar. In the bone tissue cemented prostheses showed better stress distribution in bone tissue than screwed prostheses under axial and oblique loading. The splinted design only had an effect in the screwed prosthesis, with no influence in the cemented prosthesis. Cemented prostheses on MT implants showed more favorable stress distributions in implants/components and bone tissue. Splinting was favorable for stress distribution only for screwed prostheses under oblique loading.

Microbiological Sealing Analysis of a Tapered Connection and External Hexagon System

Considering the variety of implant connection systems available in the market and the contrasting literature regarding tapered connection systems in terms of bacterial leakage, the aim of this in vitro study was to compare the effectiveness of the bacterial seal at the implant/abutment interface between an external hexagon and a tapered connection system. Twelve sets of indexed tapered connection components and twelve sets of external hexagon connection components were used for microbiological analysis. In addition, for each model, an implant with its respective prosthetic abutment was used as a negative control and another as a positive control of microbial contamination. Failure of the abutment/implant interface seal was observed via turbidity or presence of deposits in the culture. Descriptive analysis of the data and relative frequency (percentage) as well as Fisher's exact test were used at a significance level of 5%. Two of ten (20%) external hexagon specimens showed contamination against 0/10 (0%) tapered connection implants. In conclusion, both implant/abutment connections were able to prevent bacterial leakage in vitro.

In Vitro Microbiological Analysis of Bacterial Seal in Hybrid Zirconia Abutment Tapered Connection

PURPOSE

The aim of this study was to evaluate the bacterial seal at the implant-hybrid zirconia abutment interface and Morse taper-type connections through in vitro microbiological analysis.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

Sixteen implants and their respective abutments were divided into 3 groups: test (10 sets), positive control (3 sets), and negative control (3 sets). In the test group, 10 implants were contaminated with Escherichia coli using a sterile inoculating loop to the inner portion of the implants, followed by torque application to the abutment (30 N·cm). The positive controls were also contaminated, but no torque was applied to the abutment screw. The negative control consisted of uncontaminated sets. All specimens were immersed in test tubes containing 5 mL brain heart infusion (BHI) broth, maintained in a microbiological incubator for 14 days at 37°C under aerobic conditions, and monitored every 24 hours for evidence of bacterial growth.

RESULTS

During the 14 days of incubation, no significant increase in the number of cloudy culture media was observed in the test group (P = 0.448). No significant difference in broth turbidity ratio was observed (P > 0.05).

CONCLUSION

Hybrid zirconia abutments can create an effective seal at the tapered abutment-implant interface with a 30-N·cm installation torque.

Microbiological Seal of Two Types of Tapered Implant Connections

Tapered implant connections have gained wide popularity for being more resistant to fatigue and for promoting a better seal against bacterial infiltration than conventional connections. The aim of this study was to evaluate the bacterial seal at the implant-abutment interface using two Morse taper implant models, by in vitro microbiological analysis. Eleven non-indexed and 11 indexed abutments were selected and connected to their respective implants with a 20 N torque, according to manufacturer's recommendation. Microbiological analysis was carried out using colonies of Escherichia coli transported directly from a culture dish to the prosthetic component. For control, one non-contaminated abutment-implant set from each group (negative control) and one contaminated implant with no abutment (positive control) were used. The specimens were immersed in BHI broth and maintained in an incubator at 37 °C for 14 days to assess the development of bacterial contamination. The results revealed that 36.4% (n=4) of the indexed components and 90.9% (n=10) of the non-indexed components allowed bacterial leakage, with significant difference between groups (p=0.0237). In conclusion, both tapered components failed to provide adequate sealing to bacterial leakage, although the indexed type components showed a superior seal compared with non-indexed components.

In vitro analysis of the microbiological sealing of tapered implants after mechanical cycling

OBJECTIVE

The aim of this in vitro study was to evaluate the mechanical behavior and bacterial microleakage at the implant/abutment-tapered interface following mechanical cycling.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

Two groups of screwless (Morse taper) implants (G1 and G2) and two groups of prosthetic screwed implants (G3 and G4) were tested. One group from each model (G2 and G4) were submitted to mechanical cycling, 500,000 cycles per sample, at a load of 120 N at 2 Hz prior to analysis. Microbiological analysis was performed via immersion of all samples in an Escherichia coli-containing suspension, incubated at 37 °C. After 14 days, the abutments were removed from their respective implants, registering the removal force (G1 and G2) or reverse torque (G3 and G4), and the presence of bacterial leakage was evaluated. Scanning electron microscopy (SEM) was performed to analyze the tapered surfaces of the selected samples. The Student t, binomial, and G tests were used for statistical analysis at a 5 % significance level.

RESULTS

The results showed no significant difference between removal force, reverse torque, and contamination values when comparing implants of the same type. However, when the four groups were compared, contamination differed significantly (p = 0.044), with G1 having the least number of contaminated samples (8.3 %). SEM analysis showed superficial defects and damage.

CONCLUSIONS

The abutment removal force or torque was not affected by mechanical cycling. Bacterial sealing of the implant/abutment tapered interface was not effective for any condition analyzed. Imprecise machining of implant parts does not allow a sufficient contact area between surfaces to provide effective sealing and prevent bacterial leakage.

CLINICAL RELEVANCE

The microscopic gap caused by unsatisfactory implant/abutment adaptation, surface irregularities, and plastic deformation of all parts enabled bacterial contamination of the oral implants.

Influence of the Prosthetic Index Into Morse Taper Implants on Bacterial Microleakage

PURPOSE

To evaluate the influence of Morse taper implant index on microleakage.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

Thirty implants and abutments were divided into 3 groups (n = 10): CM1 (universal post and implant without index), CM2 (universal post and implant with index), and CM3 (abutment and implant with index). To evaluate the microleakage from the implant inner part, the implants were inoculated with Streptococcus sanguinis solution at a 0.5 McFarland and incubated for 7 days at 37°C in Eppendorf tubes with sterile broth. To evaluate the microleakage into the inner part of implant, these were inoculated with sterile Schaedler broth and immersed in a Fusobacterium nucleatum solution at a 0.5 McFarland. The samples were incubated for 30 days in an anaerobic chamber.

RESULTS

Nine samples of each group of the first methodology showed no presented bacterial contamination. No samples of the second methodology demonstrated turbidity of the broth.

CONCLUSION

The presence of the prosthetic internal index had no influence on bacterial microleakage of Morse taper implants under static conditions, for both methodologies.