The Fit of Implant Framework a Literature Review

Abstract

Background/Aim: To date, there is no standard method to evaluate the fit of the implant framework. However, there are many proposed clinical and laboratory methods in the literature with varying accuracies based on numerous factors involved. Therefore, we conducted the current investigation to review the available evidence in the literature, comparing the available clinical as well as laboratory methods in assessing the fit of implant prostheses. Materials and Methods: We searched MEDLINE, PubMed, and Google Scholar databases for relevant studies related to the fit of the implant framework or the degree and effect of misfit. We also used the manual search method to search for any missing articles. Various combinations of key words were used to fit the searching guidelines of each database. Relevant studies of in-vitro and clinical design were included in this review. Results: The majority of the reviewed studies were either clinical or technique papers that proposed various strategies in detecting the fit of the implant framework, with a very limited number of clinical trials related to the topic. Multiple factors suggest that the concept ‘passive fit’ could be achieved in implant prosthodontics with the use of advances strategies. Various clinical and laboratory techniques in assessing the fit of the implant framework were identified. The advantages, drawbacks, and applicability of each technique are discussed. However, the applicability of these technique is clearly limited due to the absence of clinical trials (in vivo studies) assessing their validity and efficacy of such techniques. A slight misfit of the framework to the implant abutment/analogue was also observed in many of the investigated strategies. Conclusions: Due to the variations of techniques and the various parameters assessed by each, we suggest that it might be useful to combine several techniques to determine the accuracy of fit, quantify the effect and degree of misfit, and subsequently estimate the acceptable level of fit, using the reference system for each technique used accordingly.