Effect of anti-rotational abutment features and novel computerized fabrication techniques on the marginal fit of implant-supported metal copings

Abstract

Purpose An in vitro study to compare the marginal fit of cobalt-chromium (Co-Cr) metal copings fabricated with selective laser melting (SLM), computer-aided design and computer-aided manufacturing (CAD/CAM) milling, and lost-wax (LW) techniques, on abutments with two different antirotational features. Materials and Methods A total of 60 stainless steel abutments with the same length and convergence angles were fabricated using a numerical control machining. Half of the abutments had one flat plane, while the other half had three grooves as an antirotation feature. Thirty abutments of each kind were then divided into three subgroups, and metal copings were fabricated with SLM, CAD/CAM milling, or the LW technique (n = 10). The metal copings were cemented with polycarboxylate cement. Marginal gap measurements were performed using a stereomicroscope at a magnification of x 45 and data were analyzed with two-way analysis of variance (ANOVA) tests. Results The LW (p= 0.002) and CAD/CAM (p< 0.001) techniques exhibited increased marginal gaps on the abutments with a three groove antirotational feature; however, no significant difference was detected with the SLM technique (p= 0.259). The copings fabricated with the SLM technique demonstrated significantly lower gap values in both abutment types (p< 0.001). Conclusion While all marginal gap values were within the clinically acceptable range (<120 mu m), abutments with more antirotational grooves exhibited wider marginal gaps with the LW and CAD/CAM techniques.