MICROSCOPE EVALUATION OF MICRO-GAPS AT IMPLANT-ABUTMENT CONNECTION

The use of custom CAD/CAM abutments in implant restorations has become a reality, but there are questions about the existence of micro-gaps at the implant-abutment junction larger than those of the original standard stock abutments. The purpose of this study was to compare dimensions of the micro-gaps between four types of implant abutments (original dental implant stock abutments, compatible dental implant stock abutments, and two types of customized CAD/CAM dental implant abutments) all with the same connection of Bredent Sky system mounted on a standard implant. Material and Method: Micro-gap measurements were made on four groups of Titanium abutments: 1) original dental implant stock abutments - industrial machined, 2) compatible dental implant stock abutments - industrial machined and 3) and 4) compatible customized CAD/CAM dental implant abutments - non-industrial milled with two different parameters in hyperDENT CAM software and Paragon Tools. The Nikon SMZ745T stereomicroscope was used to measure the micro-gaps of each dental implant abutment and results were statistically analyzed. Results: The micro-gaps measured on implant-abutments junction did not show significant differences between original abutment, and the three types of compatible abutments. Conclusions: No significant differences of the micro-gap at the implant-abutment junction were observed between the original implant abutments and compatible abutments, and customized abutments. Micro-gap dimensions were within the clinically accepted limit and the use of custom CAD/CAM dental implant abutments is reliable .