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Updated: Jul 15, 2026
In situ Compressive Loading and Correlative Noninvasive Imaging of the Bone-periodontal Ligament-tooth Fibrous Joint
Published on: March 7, 2014
Compliant Keeper system replication of the periodontal ligament protective damping function for implants: Part I
Statement Of Problem:
Numerous reports and studies have been published relative to implant overloading, interfacial integrity, and component failure. A significant amount of literature review supports the concept of progressive loading and damping and that it should be addressed.
Purpose:
This article reviews the literature on load reduction and uses the Periotest instrument to evaluate the viscoelastic materials of the Compliant Keeper implant damping system in vitro.
Material And Methods:
The test model was a vice-mounted resin mandible replica with a 4-unit fixed-removable implant-supported Compliant Keeper partial denture. Pontics were both cantilevered and bounded. Three 13-gauge measurement extensions were located facially on the gingival, middle, and occlusal thirds of each abutment and pontic for 312 Periotest measurements of O-ring combinations with a titanium O-ring as the null control. Measurements were averaged and recorded.
Results:
Because the Periotest can measure finite movement below Miller Class I, Periotest values were obtained for O-rings so that they could be used to program a Compliant Keeper system to match the Periotest values of another implant body.
Conclusions:
Significant loading differences were found with the O-rings. The O-rings controlled the damping element so they enabled the Compliant Keeper system to provide damping and progressive loading for implant-supported prostheses.
