Comparison of the effect of implant abutment surface modifications on retention of implant-supported restoration with a polymer based cement.

BACKGROUND In cement-retained implant-supported restoration it is important to gain adequate retention of definitive restoration as well as retrievability of prosthesis. The surface of the abutment, alloy of the restoration and the type of cement used influences the retention of the restoration. There is a need to analyze the influence of surface modifications of abutments on the retentive capabilities of provisional implant cements. PURPOSE OF STUDY To compare the effect of implant abutment surface modifications on retention of implant-supported restoration cemented with polymer based cement. MATERIALS AND METHOD Thirty solid titanium implant abutments (ADIN), 8mm height, were divided into 3 groups. Ten abutments with retentive grooves (Group I) as supplied by the manufacturer, Ten abutments milled to 20 taper circumferentially (Group II), and Ten abutments milled and air-abraded with 110 μm aluminum oxide (Group III) were used in this study. Ni-Cr coping were casted for each abutment and polymer based cement was used to secure them to the respective abutments. Using a universal testing machine at a crosshead speed of 0.5 cm/minute, tensile bond strength was recorded (N). RESULTS Mean tensile bond strength of Group I, II and III were found to be 408.3, 159.9 and 743.8 Newton respectively. The values were statistically different from each other (p<0.001). CONCLUSION Abutments with milled and sandblasted surface provide the highest retention followed by abutments with retentive grooves and then by abutments with milled surface when cast copings were cemented to implant abutments with polymer based cement. CLINICAL IMPLICATIONS Retention of restoration depends on the surface of the abutment as well as the luting agents used. Incorporation of retentive grooves or particle abrasion can enhance retention especially in situation of short clinical crown.