Related Experiment Video
Updated: Jun 20, 2026

An Improved Mechanical Testing Method to Assess Bone-implant Anchorage
Published on: February 10, 2014
Mechanical stability of posterior implant-supported monolithic zirconia cantilever on titanium-base abutments. An
Carme Riera1, Duygu Karasan1, Irena Sailer1
1Division of Fixed Prosthodontics and Biomaterials, University Clinics of Dental Medicine, University of Geneva, Geneva, Switzerland.
Purpose:
Investigate survival and technical complications of two-unit posterior implant-supported cantilever made of monolithic zirconia on titanium-base abutments (Zr-TiB) vs. porcelain-fused-to-metal on castable gold abutments (PFM-GA) using two different implant connections, internal butt-joint (IBJ) and internal conical (IC).
Materials And Methods:
Forty-eight implants (4.3 mm diameter) were divided into four groups (n = 12) to support 2-unit mandibular premolar cantilevers with two different materials (Zr-TiB vs. PFM-GA) and two connection types (IBJ vs. IC). Tested groups were as follows: (1) IBJ/Zr-TiB; (2) IBJ/PFM-GA; (3) IC/Zr-TiB; and (4) IC/PFM-GA. Specimens were thermomechanical aged (1,200,000 cycles, 98 N, 5-55°C) with occlusal axial load on the pontic. Catastrophic and non-catastrophic events were registered, and removal torque values measured before and after aging. Specimens surviving aging were subjected to loading until failure. Survival, total complication rates, torque loss (%), and bending moments were calculated.
Results:
From 48 specimens, 38 survived aging. Survival rates significantly varied from 16.7% (IC/PFM-GA) to 100% (IBJ/Zr-TiB; IBJ/PFM-GA; IC/Zr-TiB) (p < .01). Internal conical connection revealed significantly higher torque loss (IC/ZrTiB - 67%) compared to internal butt-joint (IBJ/Zr-TiB - 44%; IBJ/PFM-GA - 46%) (p < .01). Bending moments were higher in internal butt-joint connections than in internal conical (p < .05).
Conclusion And Clinical Implications:
Two-unit posterior implant-supported cantilever FDPs replacing mandibular premolars composed of monolithic zirconia on titanium-base abutments demonstrated higher mechanical stability compared to porcelain-fused-to-metal on castable gold abutments in this in vitro study. The internal conical connection combined with porcelain-fused-to-metal on gold abutments revealed a high number of failures; therefore, their clinical use may be considered cautiously for this indication.
Related Concept Videos
Support Reactions
The purpose of the supports is to prevent the translational motion of the system by applying an equal and opposite force and to prevent the system's rotation by applying a...
Applications of Stress
The...
Normal Strain under Axial Loading
Stability of structures
Non-destructive Tests for Concrete Strength
Behavior of Concrete Under Compressive Load
As the concrete specimen fractures under...

