Surface, Microstructural, and Mechanical Characterization of Abutment Screws With Modified Surface Characteristics

Area of Science:

• Biomaterials Science
• Dental Materials Science
• Surface Engineering

Background:

• Abutment screws are critical components in dental implantology.
• Surface characteristics significantly influence the mechanical behavior and longevity of dental implants.
• Understanding these properties is essential for selecting appropriate abutment screws for optimal clinical outcomes.

Purpose of the Study:

• To characterize the microstructural, mechanical, and surface properties of various abutment screws.
• To compare the effects of different surface modifications (anodization, DLC coating, gold coating) on screw properties.
• To investigate the relationship between surface characteristics and mechanical performance.

Main Methods:

• Evaluated five anodized screws (green, purple, yellow, blue, brown), one Diamond-like carbon (DLC)-coated, one gold-alloy, one gold-coated, and one uncoated screw.
• Assessed surface roughness using an optical profiler (Sa, Sq, Ssk, Sku, Spk, Sk, Svk).
• Conducted microstructural and elemental analysis via Scanning Electron Microscopy with Energy Dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (SEM-EDX).
• Measured Martens Hardness (HM) and Indentation Elastic Modulus (EIT) using Instrumented Indentation Testing (IIT).

Main Results:

• SEM-EDX revealed distinct microstructural and elemental differences between screw types.
• Significant variations were found in all assessed surface roughness parameters and mechanical properties.
• The green anodized screw exhibited higher surface roughness (Sa, Sq, Spk, Svk), while the gold-coated screw showed superior hardness (HM) and elastic modulus (EIT).

Conclusions:

• Abutment screws with modified surfaces demonstrate significant variations in microstructural, mechanical, and surface properties.
• These property differences suggest potential impacts on clinical performance and implant stability.
• Further research is warranted to correlate these findings with long-term clinical outcomes.