PURPOSEAdequate passive-fitting of one-piece cast 3-element implant-supported frameworks is hard to achieve. This short communication aims to present an alternative method for section of one-piece cast frameworks and for casting implant-supported frameworks.MATERIALS AND METHODSThree-unit implant-supported nickel-chromium (Ni-Cr) frameworks were tested for vertical misfit (n = 6). The frameworks were cast as one-piece (Group A) and later transversally sectioned through a diagonal axis (Group B) and compared to frameworks that were cast diagonally separated (Group C). All separated frameworks were laser welded. Only one side of the frameworks was screwed.RESULTSThe results on the tightened side were significantly lower in Group C (6.43 ± 3.24 µm) when compared to Groups A (16.50 ± 7.55 µm) and B (16.27 ± 1.71 µm) (P<.05). On the opposite side, the diagonal section of the one-piece castings for laser welding showed significant improvement in the levels of misfit of the frameworks (Group A, 58.66±14.30 µm; Group B, 39.48±12.03 µm; Group C, 23.13±8.24 µm) (P<.05).CONCLUSIONCasting diagonally sectioned frameworks lowers the misfit levels. Lower misfit levels for the frameworks can be achieved by diagonally sectioning one-piece frameworks.

ObjectiveThis study aimed to evaluate the importance of a distal proximal contact on the load transfer to the posterior region of the mandible by non-splinted adjacent implant-supported crowns using photoelastic stress analysis. Material and MethodsA rectangular model (68x30x15 mm) was made of polymethylmethacrylate resin to simulate half of the mandibular arch. One model was completed with resin replicas representing the first premolar and second molar and with two 3.75 mm dia.x11 mm internal hexagon threaded implants replacing the second premolar and first molar. The other model was manufactured in the same way but without the second molar. Both models were duplicated using photoelastic resin. The roots of the teeth replicas were covered with a layer of polyether impression material to simulate the periodontal ligament. Two different vertical loads were applied to the crowns as follows: 1 - single static point load alternately applied to the crowns replacing the second premolar and first molar (50 N); 2 - simultaneous static point loads applied to both of the crowns replacing the second premolar and first molar (100 N). The resulting isochromatic fringe pattern in the photoelastic model was monitored and photographed.ResultsAll loading conditions studied showed that the presence of the second molar has changed the load transmission and the pattern of stresses.ConclusionResults showed that the presence of a second molar proximal contact can help minimize the stresses around the implants.

Within the limitations of this study and based on the results obtained for implant-supported prosthesis with internal hexagon connection/universal cast to long abutment, it could be concluded that single adjacent screw-retained prosthetic restorations lead to higher stresses around the implants when compared with cement-retained restorations.