Evaluation of reverse torque values and failure loads of three different abutment designs with internal connections

High percentage of biomechanical complications such as screw loosening in dental implants can be related to implant-abutment (I/A) connection properties which affect the behavior of implant assembly against functional loads in the oral cavity. The aims of the present study were to compare the reverse torque values (RTVs) and failure loads of three abutment types with internal Morse taper connection.

In this experimental in vitro study, eighteen implants (4.5 mm × 10 mm bone level implants, Implantium, Dentium Co, Seoul, South Korea) were divided into three groups with different abutments: two-piece (TP) abutment, one-piece (OP) abutment, and screw abutment (SA), mounted in stainless-steel blocks according to ISO 14801. After completion the torque/detorque protocol, a compressive load (1 mm/min) was applied at 30° off-axis until failure. Mean reverse torque/tightening torque (RT/TT) values and failure loads were analyzed with one-way ANOVA test and Tukey's honest significant difference (α = 0.05). Failure modes were evaluated by radiography and stereomicroscopy.

RT/TT values in the TP group were lower than those in other groups (P < 0.001). Highest failure loads were observed in SA group (P = 0.002). In radiographic evaluation, all specimens showed deformation in I/A interface.

I/A connections with larger surface areas may lead to higher RTVs (e.g., OP and SA groups). Use of an additional screw and indexed area in TP group did not reduce the bending resistance under static loading.