Cemented Single Crown Retention on Dental Implants: An In Vitro Study.

PURPOSE The aim of this study was to determine the influence of selected cements, abutment heights, and aging on the retention of zirconia crowns on zirconia abutments. MATERIALS AND METHODS Zirconia crowns and abutments (height: 4.0 or 5.5 mm) were sandblasted and retained using five different cements. Axial pull-off tests were performed after thermocycling or 3 days of water storage. RESULTS An increase in abutment height was associated with an increase in decementation force when permanent cementation was tested. The aging protocol showed that temporarily cemented crowns showed a significant retention decrease, while use of a permanent cement led to a moderate increase. CONCLUSION Only use of permanent cements ensures clinically adequate decementation forces.