Determining the force absorption quotient for restorative materials used in implant occlusal surfaces

It has been hypothesized that the type of material used to form the occlusal surface of restorations retained by dental implants may impart a "dampening effect" to the bone-implant interface. This study compared the force transmitted to human bone by gold, porcelain, and resin occlusal surfaces in a simulated implant occlusal rehabilitation. A Branemark self-tapping implant was placed in a human cadaver mandible with a stacked three element strain gauge cemented to the lingual cortical plate. An Instron testing machine was used to apply an axial force, through a peanut sample, to a restoration that contained interchangeable occlusal surfaces. Applied force was divided by recorded microstrain at the bone-strain gauge junction to derive a calculated ratio, or force absorption quotient. No statistically significant difference of the force absorption quotient between the occlusal surfaces of gold, porcelain, and resin was observed.