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Published on: June 24, 2018
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Fretting-corrosion at the Implant-Abutment Interface Simulating Clinically Relevant Conditions.
Yani Sun1, Apurwa Shukla2, Remya Ampadi Ramachandran3
1Department of Civil, Material, and Environmental Engineering, University of Illinois at Chicago, Chicago, IL, USA.
Summary
This study investigated dental implant fretting-corrosion under simulated oral conditions. Titanium-titanium implants showed more corrosion, while zirconia-titanium implants experienced more mechanical wear, informing clinical material selection for patients with parafunctional habits or acid exposure.
Area of Science:
- Biomaterials Science
- Dental Implantology
- Tribocorrosion
Background:
- Dental implants are subjected to normal and parafunctional forces, increasing risk of tribocorrosion.
- Dental erosion affects 32% of adults, creating an acidic oral environment conducive to material degradation.
- Previous fretting-corrosion studies lacked clinically relevant micromotion simulation.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate fretting-corrosion at the implant-abutment interface under simulated clinical conditions.
- To evaluate the effects of occlusal loads and acidic exposures on implant materials.
- To compare the performance of titanium-titanium and zirconia-titanium implant-abutment combinations.
Main Methods:
- A novel micro-fretting corrosion system simulated 5 µm micromotion at the implant-abutment interface.
- Tests were conducted under varying contact loads (83 N, 233 N) and pH levels (3, 6.5) using Grade IV titanium and Zirconia abutments.
- Surface analysis included 3D profilometry, SEM with EDS, and ICP-MS for metal ion release.
Main Results:
- All groups exhibited a partial slip fretting regime (energy ratios < 0.2).
- Titanium-titanium (Ti-Ti) interfaces showed greater corrosive damage compared to Zirconia-titanium (Zr-Ti) interfaces.
- Zr-Ti interfaces experienced more mechanical damage than Ti-Ti interfaces.
Conclusions:
- Findings guide clinicians in selecting implant materials based on patient conditions.
- Ti-Ti implants may be preferable for patients with bruxism (grinding/clenching).
- Zr-Ti implants might offer benefits for patients with GERD (acid reflux) due to reduced corrosion.
