In vitro synchrotron-based radiography of micro-gap formation at the implant-abutment interface of two-piece dental implants

J Synchrotron Radiat. 2010 Mar;17(2):289-94. doi: 10.1107/S0909049510001834. Epub 2010 Feb 3.

Abstract

Micro-gap formation at the implant-abutment interface of two-piece dental implants was investigated in vitro using high-resolution radiography in combination with hard X-ray synchrotron radiation. Images were taken with the specimen under different mechanical loads of up to 100 N. The aim of this investigation was to prove the existence of micro-gaps for implants with conical connections as well as to study the mechanical behavior of the mating zone of conical implants during loading. Synchrotron-based radiography in comparison with classical laboratory radiography yields high spatial resolution in combination with high contrast even when exploiting micro-sized features in highly attenuating objects. The first illustration of a micro-gap which was previously indistinguishable by laboratory methods underlines that the complex micro-mechanical behavior of implants requires further in vitro investigations where synchrotron-based micro-imaging is one of the prerequisites.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Dental Abutments*
  • Dental Implants*
  • Dental Prosthesis Design
  • Dental Stress Analysis / methods*
  • Humans
  • Radiography, Dental, Digital
  • Synchrotrons
  • X-Rays

Substances

  • Dental Implants