Biomechanical study of microstrains around prosthetic abutments for 3-unit fixed partial dentures under static non-axial loads

This study aimed to evaluate the microstrains around implants, generated by static non-axial loads, in miniconical and CMN abutments for 3-unit fixed partial dentures. Blocks in polyurethane were made for each evaluated group (n=10). Each block received three implants in the “off set” configuration, their respective abutment (CMN or miniconical) and 3-unit fixed partial dentures. Four strain gauges (SG) were glued on the surface of each block, tangent to each implant, to carry out the strain gauges tests. A load application device with a load of 30 kgf was used on points C, D, E and F for 10 seconds, under three repetitions, following a factorial scheme of: 2 x 3. The data obtained were statistically analyzed using the test Two-way RM ANOVA and t test on two paired samples for means (p<0.05). The highest microstrain mean was observed in SG 4, at application point F for miniconical (1369.68 με) and CNM abutment (1418.64 με). The results obtained by strain-gauge showed no statistical difference (P = 0.255) between the CMN (1102.88 με) and miniconical (1023.65 με). The study concluded that the CMN presented biomechanical behavior compatible with miniconical abutments. Therefore, the non-axial component of the CMN abutment does not seem to contraindicate its use when supporting fixed partial dentures.