Understanding Morse Taper in Dental Implants
January 16, 2024
The Morse taper plays a very important role in the long-term success of dental implant systems. It is a conical connection system (between the implant body and abutment) designed to keep dental implants in place. The connection has a self-locking taper design, creating a tight, friction-free junction between the implant and abutment.
The Morse taper connection helps improve the stability of the implant-abutment interface and reduces micro-movements and gaps between implant components. A stable connection with little to no micro gaps reduces the risk of bacterial infestation and colonization, which can lead to peri-implantitis. The taper angle of the Morse taper can vary depending on size, but is generally 1.5°. The angle creates a significant amount of friction, ensuring a very tight fit.
Parts of the Morse Taper
➢ Implant Body: This is the main part of the implant. It is surgically inserted into the jawbone. The implant body usually has a conical section that engages with the abutment. It is made from titanium or other biocompatible materials. Implant fixtures have threads and grooves that help implants integrate with the surrounding bone tissues (osseointegration).
➢ Abutment: The abutment connects the implant fixture to the prosthetic tooth or crown. It usually utilizes the same biocompatible material as the implant body. The abutment transmits the forces exerted during everyday activities, such as chewing and biting, from the prosthetic tooth to the implant fixture, and finally to the jawbone. It is designed to ensure a stable connection, which helps minimize micro-movements.
➢Screw: In some designs, a screw passes through the abutment and thread, finally entering the implant body to secure the abutment further.
Benefits
Dental implants featuring Morse taper connections have better survival rates. Their design can help reduce marginal bone loss. Many studies have found that Morse taper connections with platform switching can help reduce marginal bone absorption.
Here are some advantages of the Morse taper connections.
➢ Improved Stability: The meticulously designed conical connection system of the Morse taper ensures a snug fit. This improves the stability of the implant-abutment connection, and consequently, implant performance. Morse taper connections help implants resist rotational and axial forces, increasing their lifespan.
➢ Even Load Distribution: The unique conical shape of the Morse taper enables equal distribution of load along the implant-abutment connection, helping prevent complications that can result from stress concentration.
➢ Minimizes Micro-movements: Micro-movements between implant components can lead to complications, possibly implant failure. The design of the Morse taper creates a mechanical locking mechanism that minimizes micro-movements. As a result, the implant stays in its place, preventing bone loss.
➢ Versatility: Morse taper connections can be used in different types of dental implants. They can be customized to meet the needs of patients who are missing a tooth as well as those who are missing multiple teeth and are planning to undergo full mouth restorations.
Argon Dental is committed to helping people who are missing teeth and have stopped enjoying their favorite foods restart their love affair with food. Our dental implant solutions are the next best thing to natural teeth. Have questions about one of our dental implant systems? Call 844-484-4998.
