Abstract
The purpose of this study was to examine surface alterations and bone formation on the surface of failed dental implants (Straumann [ST] and TiUnite [TiUn]) removed due to any biological reason. In addition, failure analysis was performed to test mechanical properties. Dental implants (n = 38) from two manufacturers were collected and subjected to chemical cleaning. The presence of newly formed hydroxyapatite bone around failed implants was evaluated using micro-Raman spectroscopy. Scanning electron microscopy was used to identify surface defects. Mechanical testing was performed using a Minneapolis servo-hydraulic system (MTS) along with indentation using a universal testing machine and average values were recorded. A statistical analysis of mechanical properties was done using an unpaired t test, and correlation between observed defects was evaluated using Chi-square (p = 0.05). Apatite-formation was evident in both implants, but was found qualitatively more in the ST group. No significant difference was found in indentation between the two groups (p > 0.05). The percentage of “no defects” was significantly lower in the ST group (71%). Crack-like and full-crack defects were observed in 49% and 39% of TiUn. The ST group showed 11,061 cycles to failure as compared with 10,021 cycles in the TiUnite group. Implant failure mechanisms are complex with a combination of mechanical and biological reasons and these factors are variable with different implant systems.
Highlights
During the early development of dental implants, and since, many edentulous patients have benefitted from treatments that have increased options for teeth replacement
The mechanical defects of dental implant surfaces were identified via SEM (Figure 1)
Despite the fact that the implants showed bone residues covering the implant surface, the dental implants may have failed due to progressive reduction of bone support or biological support
Summary
During the early development of dental implants, and since, many edentulous patients have benefitted from treatments that have increased options for teeth replacement. Treatment using dental implants for partially dentate patients is considered a feasible option, making occlusal. Dental implants experience mechanical or biological complications [2]. These complications can be rectified within the implant prosthesis and, may not end up in failure. Dental implant loss can be categorized as “early” or “late” depending on the extent of the time period taken for that loss after implantation. Late losses of dental implants are considered when the prosthesis has failed after a period of six months [3]
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