Aim:The purpose of this study was to evaluate the retention values and marginal adaptation of implant-supported metal copings using different luting agents.
Material and Method:Forty implant fixtures and solid abutments of 7mm height were embedded vertically in epoxy resin blocks. Metal copings with a loop on the occlusal surface were fabricated using base metal alloy. The copings were luted using four different cements (Multilink N, Fuji Plus, Fuji1 and Adhesor) under static load of 5kg (n=10). All specimens were subjected to 1000 thermal cycles between 5˚c and 55˚c with a dwell time of 10 seconds in a thermocycling device. Marginal accuracy was detected before and after cementation of all specimens by stereomicroscope. TheTensile force required to dislodge the copings were determined by a computer controlled universal testing machine with a cross-head speed of 0.5 mm/ min.The force in Newton(N) required to remove the copings was recorded. Data was collected and statistically analyzed.Results: Multilink N and Fuji1 had the highest and the least mean retentive strength respectively. There was no significant difference between MultilinkN, Fuji Plus and Adhesor. The absolute marginal discrepancies of cements were in reducing order zinc phosphate , resin modified glass ionomer, glass ionomer and resin cement.Conclusion: within the conditions of this study, resin cement, the resin modified glass ionomer and zinc phosphate had statistically the same retentive quality and are recommended for definitive cementation of single implant-supported restoration. Different luting media had a definite effect over the final fit of all metal copings, but they were all within the clinically accepted level of 100 µm.