Assessing the improvement in cement effectiveness by the geometry of implant abutment surface

Abstract

Aim: The present study was conducted to assess the effect of the topography or surface geometry of implant abutments for their effect on the retentive strength of the prosthesis cemented using zinc phosphate on grooved, sandblasted, and standard machined implant abutments and to compare them. Methods: 12 implant abutments of a similar shape were divided into 3 groups of 4 each having a 6-degree taper and 6mm height. The 3 groups were Group I included standard machined abutments without grooves, Group II included group I abutments sandblasted, and Group III included abutments having prefabricated circumferential grooves. In addition, among these 12 abutments, 4 each were taken to assess the retentive force of zinc phosphate cement. 12 similar cast copings were made to fill the 12 abutments, and were cemented with zinc phosphate. After 6 days of storage in the water bath and thermal cycling, using the tensile testing machine, a retention test was done. Results: Concerning zinc phosphate cement, among three study groups the statistically significant difference was seen with p<0.05.