Micro-movement and Micro-pump Effect Analysis of the Implant-Abutment Connection
November 10, 2023
The University of Frankfurt and Main conducted a study in 2010 to examine the existence of a micropump on dental implants. Researchers tested five inspection pieces for each type of implant system tested. Every inspection piece was designed to simulate an implant-supported molar crown in the upper jaw. A polyether material impression simulated the mucous membrane at the implant-abutment interface.
A liquid entrance was created inside every artificial mucous membrane, and a specially designed X-ray contrast medium was brought into the opening. During the load of the 2-D chewing simulator, the inspection pieces were radiated by an X-ray device. A high-speed digital camera recorded the X-ray videos.
Experimental Setup
- For this study, Fein Focus FXS-160.50 X-ray system was used. The X-ray unit is a constant emitter designed to spread X-rays in a manner that leads to an enlargement of the image of the object. Bulb power (maximum output) was 16 watts. A lead screen was used to prevent radiation from scattering. A closed voltage of 120 keV and a current of 0.1 mA was used.
- The body of the arch implant sample was embedded in a resin block (Technovit® 4004). Researchers placed the polyether material (Impregum™), carefully ensuring it surrounded the implant-abutment connection (a simulation for the peri-implant tissue). The force was loaded through an Aluminum fabricated ball top, which was glued and screwed to the implant-abutment sample.
- A liquid channel was created within the simulated gingiva.
- Cemented caps containing aluminum were manufactured using a centrifugal lathe. They were applied to abutments. The caps were designed to assist with the screwing of the load attachments.
- All abutments were milled in a center lathe (diameter – 3.45 mm). They were sandblasted carefully with commercial equipment. This served as a reinforcement for the glued connection between the cementing cap and the abutment. The abutments were fixed to the implant using the manufacturer’s specifications.
- A loading ball cap was manufactured for every inspection piece.
- Implants were positioned in an embedding mold to ensure an accurate implant position
- A saliva substitute was chosen based on the basis of mucin. Four human saliva samples were taken, and three contact angles were measured for each sample. The measurements were determined through the use of the Kruss Drop Shape Analysis System DSA 10 MK2. The liquid sample was dropped on the titanium surface and the angle of the contact was determined.
- All sample pieces were loaded (force applied – 25 N, 50 N, 75 N, 100 N, 125 N, 150 N, 175 N, and 200 N). The axial force vector was enhanced up to the before-defined force. A force application of the horizontal force vector resulted in the inclination of the resultant force vector from 30° to the implant axis.
Evaluation
Every 10th picture was used to generate X-ray videos. The rate of change in the chewing simulator reached up to 0.6 N/ms, whereas the produced force reached up to 0.3 N/ms. The time taken by the axial actuator to produce a force of 0.3 N/ms was determined to calculate the amount of time a sample implant was subjected to each force cycle. Because the actuators and load cameras couldn’t be synchronized accurately using LabVIEW®, researchers decided to set aside an added time (100 pictures) and an overhang time (1,000 pictures) for every cycle period.
The X-ray video was slowed down to simplify the evaluation of the implant-abutment interface. The behavior of the contrast medium in the X-ray device was studied to check for a possible micro-pump effect. All radiographs and X-ray videos were visually inspected. The frames and X-ray videos, during the load without X-ray contrast medium, were evaluated for an existing gap between the implant and abutment. To measure the gap, the frame was examined during and at the maximum load. Every pixel inside the gap was checked, and the exact size of each gap was specified.
Results
| Micro-Gap Konus K3Pro™ | |||||
| Load
|
Inspection Piece 1 |
Inspection Piece 2 |
Inspection Piece 3 |
Inspection Piece 4 |
Inspection Piece 5 |
| 25N | No Space 550 |
No Space 560 |
No Space 555 |
No Space 550 |
No Space 545 |
| 50N | No Space 760 |
No Space 765 |
No Space 760 |
No Space 770 |
No Space 760 |
| 75N | No Space 955 |
No Space 955 |
No Space 940 |
No Space 960 |
No Space 950 |
| 100N | No Space 1050 |
No Space 1060 |
No Space 1055 |
No Space 1060 |
No Space 1060 |
| 125N | No Space 1190 |
No Space 1185 |
No Space 1195 |
No Space 1185 |
No Space 1180 |
| 150N | No Space 1385 |
No Space 1380 |
No Space 1390 |
No Space 1380 |
No Space 1380 |
| 175N | No Space 1590 |
No Space 1580 |
No Space 1595 |
No Space 1590 |
No Space 1590 |
| 200N | No Space 1745 |
No Space 1745 |
No Space 1780 |
No Space 1760 |
No Space 1765 |
| Micro-Pump Effect Konus K3Pro™ | |||||
| Load
|
Inspection Piece 1 |
Inspection Piece 2 |
Inspection Piece 3 |
Inspection Piece 4 |
Inspection Piece 5 |
| 25N | No micro-pump-effect 545 |
No micro-pump-effect 565 |
No micro-pump-effect 550 |
No micro-pump-effect 555 |
No micro-pump-effect 560 |
| 50N | No micro-pump-effect 770 |
No micro-pump-effect 755 |
No micro-pump-effect 760 |
No micro-pump-effect 750 |
No micro-pump-effect 750 |
| 75N | No micro-pump-effect 965 |
No micro-pump-effect 945 |
No micro-pump-effect 960 |
No micro-pump-effect 955 |
No micro-pump-effect 950 |
| 100N | No micro-pump-effect 1060 |
No micro-pump-effect 1065 |
No micro-pump-effect 1050 |
No micro-pump-effect 1045 |
No micro-pump-effect 1055 |
| 125N | No micro-pump-effect 1180 |
No micro-pump-effect 1195 |
No micro-pump-effect 1180 |
No micro-pump-effect 1185 |
No micro-pump-effect 1190 |
| 150N | No micro-pump-effect 1385 |
No micro-pump-effect 1375 |
No micro-pump-effect 1385 |
No micro-pump-effect 1390 |
No micro-pump-effect 1385 |
| 175N | No micro-pump-effect 1580 |
No micro-pump-effect 1570 |
No micro-pump-effect 1585 |
No micro-pump-effect 1575 |
No micro-pump-effect 1580 |
| 200N | No micro-pump-effect 1740 |
No micro-pump-effect 1760 |
No micro-pump-effect 1775 |
No micro-pump-effect 1750 |
No micro-pump-effect 1760 |
Argon Dental USA offers a range of dental implant guides designed to simplify the implant placement. Our state-of-the-art bone loss dental implants utilize superior materials. To learn more, call 844-484-4998.
