Morphological study of Osteoplate 2000-extension implants after bending

Unfavorable anatomical conditions of implant sites often require the insertion of implants in a direction that may interfere with the positioning of suprastructural elements in a functionally and esthetically satisfying manner. In some implant systems, bending of the implant neck is one of the possible methods for optimizing the insertion angle for the superimposed prosthesis. The aim of this study was to investigate whether bending procedures of the implant neck cause changes in the surface properties at the implant neck area. After bending of the implant neck up to 30 degrees, scanning electron microscopy revealed changes in the surface texture of the titanium. Superficial rips approximately 5 microns wide and 100 microns long had formed. These findings were confirmed by metallographic examinations. Values of Vickers hardness testing in the implant neck area after bending of 30 degrees showed significant differences between the compression or stretched zone and the neutral zone of the bending area. Bending of the implant neck between 0 and 20 degrees may influence the surface morphology, promoting superficial rips. Plaque accumulation and mechanically induced mucosal irritations due to changes of surface morphology and properties by bending should be further analyzed.