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Analysis of Stress and Fracture Strength of Zirconia Implants after Cyclic Loading

Abstract

The aim of this study was to manufacture a new zirconia implant (Y-TZP) and to evaluate the fracture strength and stresses generated after cyclic loading compared to titanium implants. Thirty-three zirconia and titanium implants were fabricated. The stress generated around the implants was observed by photoelastic analysis. The implants were then separated into groups (n = 10): Control (no treatment), mechanical fatigue and thermomechanical fatigue. All groups were submitted to a single cantilever flexure test to measure the material fracture strength. The results (2-way ANOVA, Bonferroni test, p <.05) showed no statistically significant difference in the stresses generated between the zirconia and titanium implants. Titanium implants showed higher fracture strength than the zirconia implants, a property that was not altered by fatigue applied. It was concluded that stress distribution was similar for Zr and Ti and mechanical and thermomechanical fatigue had no influence on the fracture strength of the implants tested.

Keywords:
implant; Yttria-doped zirconia; cyclic loading; titanium; photoelasticity

1 Introduction

The exclusive treatment using titanium dental implants must be critically viewed since there are population groups who present numerous diseases related to the use of metals, such as sensitivity, titanium allergy and allergy to the by-products of titanium released in the body1Chaturvedi T. Allergy related to dental implant and its clinical significance. Clinical, Cosmetic and Investigational Dentistry. 2013; 5:57-61. http://dx.doi.org/10.2147/CCIDE.S35170. PMid:23990733.
http://dx.doi.org/10.2147/CCIDE.S35170...
. Furthermore, the use of dental implants in the esthetic zone is a challenge, particularly in patients who present with thin peri-implant gingival tissue, gingival smile or high gingival smile line, and in cases of bone resorption followed by gingival recession with implant exposure2Glauser R, Sailer I, Wohlwend A, Studer S, Schibli M and Schärer P. Experimental zirconia abutments for implant-supported single-tooth restorations in esthetically demanding regions: 4-year results of a prospective clinical study. The International Journal of Prosthodontics. 2004; 17(3):285-290. PMid:15237873.,3Kohal RJ, Att W, Bächle M and Butz F. Ceramic abutments and ceramic oral implants. An update. Periodontology 2000. 2008; 47(1):224-243. http://dx.doi.org/10.1111/j.1600-0757.2007.00243.x. PMid:18412584.
http://dx.doi.org/10.1111/j.1600-0757.20...
.

Based on the necessity for aesthetic reconstructions, anti-allergic biomaterials and requirements of metal-free treatments for these patients, many studies have been proposed, particularly those relating to zirconia ceramics due to their favorable aesthetic, mechanical, physical and chemical properties4Andreiotelli M, Wenz HJ and Kohal R-J. Are ceramic implants a viable alternative to titanium implants? A systematic literature review. Clinical Oral Implants Research. 2009; 20(Suppl 4):32-47. http://dx.doi.org/10.1111/j.1600-0501.2009.01785.x. PMid:19663947.
http://dx.doi.org/10.1111/j.1600-0501.20...

Assal PA. The osseointegration of zirconia dental implants. Schweizer Monatsschrift Zahnmed. 2013; 123(7-8):644-654. PMid:23965893.

Çaglar A, Bal BT, Karakoca S, Aydın C, Yılmaz H and Sarısoy S. Three-dimensional finite element analysis of titanium and yttrium-stabilized zirconium dioxide abutments and implants. The International Journal of Oral & Maxillofacial Implants. 2011; 26(5):961-969. PMid:22010077.

Borgonovo AE, Censi R, Vavassori V, Dolci M, Calvo-Guirado JL, Delgado Ruiz RA, et al. Evaluation of the success criteria for zirconia dental implants: a four-year clinical and radiological study. International Journal of Dentistry. 2013; 2013:463073. http://dx.doi.org/10.1155/2013/463073. PMid:24065992.
http://dx.doi.org/10.1155/2013/463073...
-8Borgonovo AE, Vavassori V, Censi R, Calvo JL and Re D. Behavior of endosseous one-piece yttrium stabilized zirconia dental implants placed in posterior areas. Minerva Stomatologica. 2013; 62(7-8):247-257. PMid:24002561..

Zirconia is radiopaque and because of its color, similar to that of the natural tooth, it is the material of choice for aesthetically critical areas of the mouth6Çaglar A, Bal BT, Karakoca S, Aydın C, Yılmaz H and Sarısoy S. Three-dimensional finite element analysis of titanium and yttrium-stabilized zirconium dioxide abutments and implants. The International Journal of Oral & Maxillofacial Implants. 2011; 26(5):961-969. PMid:22010077.. Studies7Borgonovo AE, Censi R, Vavassori V, Dolci M, Calvo-Guirado JL, Delgado Ruiz RA, et al. Evaluation of the success criteria for zirconia dental implants: a four-year clinical and radiological study. International Journal of Dentistry. 2013; 2013:463073. http://dx.doi.org/10.1155/2013/463073. PMid:24065992.
http://dx.doi.org/10.1155/2013/463073...
,8Borgonovo AE, Vavassori V, Censi R, Calvo JL and Re D. Behavior of endosseous one-piece yttrium stabilized zirconia dental implants placed in posterior areas. Minerva Stomatologica. 2013; 62(7-8):247-257. PMid:24002561. have demonstrated that the material appears to be capable of withstanding loads over the long term and its biocompatibility as a dental implant material has also been demonstrated in vitro and in clinical investigations9Manicone PF, Rossi Iommetti P, Raffaelli L, Paolantonio M, Rossi G, Berardi D, et al. Biological considerations on the use of zirconia for dental devices. International Journal of Immunopathology and Pharmacology. 2007;20(1, Suppl 1):9-12. PMid:17897494..

However, most studies are limited to the evaluation of the market available zirconia implants compared with titanium implants, which do not have the same design. Thus, by designing a new dental implant, the aim of the study was to analyze the stresses generated and fracture strength of identical design zirconia and titanium implants after mechanical and/or thermal fatigue.

2 Experimental

To conduct the study, zirconia (Zr) and grade 4 titanium (Ti) implants with the same size and thread profiles were designed and fabricated.

For Zr implants, the procedure was performed in four stages: press forming, pre-sintering, milling and sintering. First, zirconia powder was molded into a metal cylinder die (8 mm diameter) by uniaxial press forming at a pressure of ~170 Kgf, then the obtained cylinders were pre-sintered in a furnace (Jung Furnace, Model 0916 - Blumenau - SC – Brazil) at a heating rate of 1 °C/min to 850 °C. After pre-sintering stage, the implant macrostructure was design and the cylinders were milled using a CAD/CAM (Computer-aided design/ Computer-aided manufacturing) system (CNC Veker milling machine - Model FEL-1860 ENC, Vinhedo - SP – Brazil). Finally, the milled implants were sintered in a furnace at 1450 °C.

Twenty percent shrinkage occurs during sintering, therefore, a 20% expansion was programmed during the CAD process in order to compensate pre-sintered zirconia´s dimensional changes.

To determine the final macrostructure of the implant, preliminary tests were conducted and several Zr prototypes were obtained until the final design was approved and developed with a diameter of 4mm and overall length of 15mm (Figure 1). This was considered the convenience model for the fabrication and reproducibility of the implants.

Figure 1
Zr prototype with macrostructure of rounded tip and apex profile.

For titanium implants, grade 4 titanium bars (Realum Ind. Com Metais Puros e Ligas Ltda - São Paulo, SP, Brazil) measuring 4.76 mm in diameter were cut and machined following the same features as the Zr implants (Figure 2), thus obtaining the Ti prototype. Thirty-three implants were fabricated.

Figure 2
Ti implant with macrostructure of rounded tip and apex profile equal to Zr implant.

Photoelastic analysis of stress transfer was used to qualitatively and quantitatively verify the stress generated around the materials studied by applying a centric static load of 200N with an ovoid tip.

For the analysis, the implants (n = 3) were embedded in photoelastic resin without any interposed material to simulate osseointegration. In addition to the implants, cylinders made of materials with the same dimensions (15mm x 4.7mm) as the implants, but without thread spirals, were obtained to analyze whether the difference in force distribution among Zr and Ti implants occurred solely due to the property of the material or due to different shapes of implant designs.

For the qualitative photoelastic analysis, the polariscope was adjusted to circular polarization mode and the pattern of distribution of the isochromatic fringes was observed, in which the larger the number of fringes and the nearer they are the greater is stress intensity and stress concentration, respectively.

For the quantitative photoelastic analysis, the polariscope was adjusted to linear polarization mode. Two points in the cervical region and three points in the apical region of each cylinder and implant were analyzed, totaling 5 points for quantitative readings per specimen.

The values of fringe order (n) were calculated at each point by reading the fringe orders displayed on the photoelastic model using the Senarmont method1010 Montarou CC and Gaylord TK. Two-wave-plate compensator method for single-point retardation measurements. Applied Optics. 2004; 43(36):6580-6595. http://dx.doi.org/10.1364/AO.43.006580. PMid:15646778.
http://dx.doi.org/10.1364/AO.43.006580...
.

To test mechanical and thermomechanical fatigue, the Zr and Ti implants (n = 30) were embedded in polyurethane using a device coupled to the shaft of a parallelometer (Figure 3), which allowed the inclusion at an angle of 30°, following the ISO standard 140811111 International Organization for Standardization – ISO. ISO 14081: dentistry implants: dynamic fatigue test for endosseous dental implants. 2nd ed. Geneva; 2007..

Figure 3
Device to insert implants coupled to the parallelometer used to insert implants in polyurethane resin at an angle of 30°.

After the implants had been embedded, they were randomly separated into 3 groups (n = 10) according to the type of treatment to which they were submitted: Ti/Zr Groups - Control; TiM/ZrM Groups –mechanical fatigue; TiTM/ZrTM Groups - thermomechanical fatigue.

Mechanical fatigue (ERIOS Equipamentos Técnicos e Científicos Ltda. São Paulo - SP - Brazil) was performed at 37 °C and 133N1212 Fontijn-Tekamp FA, Slagter AP, Van Der Bilt A, Van 'T Hof MA, Witter DJ, Kalk W, et al. Biting and chewing in overdentures, full dentures, and natural dentitions. Journal of Dental Research. 2000; 79(7):1519-1524. http://dx.doi.org/10.1177/00220345000790071501. PMid:11005738.
http://dx.doi.org/10.1177/00220345000790...
corresponding to the bite force in the region of anterior teeth in patients with normal occlusion. Each specimen was submitted to 2 million chewing cycles at a rate of 2 Hz1111 International Organization for Standardization – ISO. ISO 14081: dentistry implants: dynamic fatigue test for endosseous dental implants. 2nd ed. Geneva; 2007..

The TiTM and ZrTM Groups were submitted to the same mechanical test plus thermocycling at temperatures ranging from 5 °C, 37 °C and 55 °C. Each temperature range remained in contact with the specimen for 35 seconds and each specimen was submitted to a total of 5,714 temperature cycles.

After mechanical and thermomechanical fatigue tests, the fracture strength of the specimens was determined by a single cantilever flexure test, in which the load was applied in the free-end coronal extension of the implant (universal testing machine (EMIC-EMIC DL2000 Equipamentos e Sistemas de Ensaio LTDA. - Pinhais - PR - Brazil) at a crosshead speed of 0.5 mm/s[1010 Montarou CC and Gaylord TK. Two-wave-plate compensator method for single-point retardation measurements. Applied Optics. 2004; 43(36):6580-6595. http://dx.doi.org/10.1364/AO.43.006580. PMid:15646778.
http://dx.doi.org/10.1364/AO.43.006580...
]. For this, implants remained embedded in polyurethane at an angle of 30º in order to simulate the functional loading of an endosseous dental implant body and its coronal portion under “worst case” conditions.

Fracture strength was calculated according to the Formula 1:

σ = P / A (1)

where P is the maximum force applied (kgf), A is the cross-sectional area (cm2) of the fracture region calculated by the formula: A = πr2. To convert the data obtained in kgf/cm2 into MPa, values were divided by 9.8.

Fracture strength was assessed and the values of stress and fracture strength were submitted to statistical analysis (2-way ANOVA, Bonferroni test, p < .05) using GraphPad Prism software (GraphPad Software Inc, La Jolla, California, USA). The fracture strength of each group was also evaluated by a 2-parameter Weibull distribution (95% confidence interval) to analyze the distribution parameters of the fatigue resistance of the materials.

3 Results

Figure 4 (a and b) and Figure 5 (a and b) show stress generated by the cylinders and implants, respectively, when photoelastic analysis was performed.

Figure 4
Comparison between photoelasticity observed in the titanium (a) and zirconia (b) cylinders under a load of 200N.
Figure 5
Comparison between photoelasticity observed in the titanium (a) and zirconia (b) implants under a load of 200N.

The comparison of mean stress (2-way ANOVA, Bonferroni, p < .05) for Ti and Zr cylinders can be seen in Table 1. The results indicate that no statistically significant difference (p > .05) was found between the forces generated when the materials were compared, irrespective of the point analyzed.

Table 1
Comparison of mean stress (standard deviation) (MPa) for titanium and zirconia cylinders (2-way ANOVA, Bonferroni, p < .05).

When the stress values within the same material were compared, no statistically significant difference (p > .05) was found among the points of the Zr cylinders. For Ti cylinders, highest stress occurred at point 3, which was only similar to point 2 (p > .05) and different from the others (p < .05). The same level of stress occurred between points 1 and 5 (p > .05) and 2 and 4 (p > .05).

The comparison of mean stress (2-way ANOVA, Bonferroni test, p < .05) for implants is shown in Table 2. No statistically significant differences (p > .05) were found between the points studied in comparison with Zr and Ti, with the exception of point 3 (p < .05).

Table 2
Comparison of mean stress (standard deviation) (MPa) for titanium and zirconia implants (2-way ANOVA, Bonferroni, (p < .05).

When the stress at the points of the same material were compared, it was observed that highest stress occurred at point 3 for the Zr implants, which showed a statistically significant difference (p < .05) in comparison with the other points. As for points 1, 2, 4, and 5, they showed no statistically significant difference (p > .05) among them. For the Ti implants, the point of highest stress concentration was also at point 3 with a statistically significant difference (p < .05) in comparison with the other groups, followed by point 2 that was statistically different (p < .05) when compared with the other groups, with the exception of point 4. The stress at point 1 showed similar levels (p > .05) as points 4 and 5.

The Ti implants showed higher fracture strength than the Zr implants (2-way ANOVA, Bonferroni, p < .05) (Table 3) and a statistically significant difference (p < .05) was found for all groups.

Table 3
Mean (standard deviation) stress (MPa) of fracture strength of zirconia and titanium implants.

The fracture strength distributions of the specimens for Zr and Ti are shown in Figures 6 and 7, respectively, along with the Weibull parameters. The results show that Zr implants are more likely to fail than Ti implants. After 2 million thermomechanical cycles, Ti implants showed the highest mean fracture strength (220 MPa), while the fracture strength of Zr implants was 78 MPa. When the different treatments for the same material were compared, no statistically significant difference was found (p > .05) among the groups (Table 3, Figures 6 and 7).

Figure 6
The fracture strength of zirconia implants evaluated by Weibull distribution.
Figure 7
The fracture strength of titanium implants evaluated by Weibull distribution.

4 Discussion

This study compared the stresses generated and fracture strength of Zr and grade 4 Ti implants submitted to mechanical and thermomechanical fatigue, which was based on the null hypothesis that no difference would occur between the transfer of forces of the materials tested and that cyclic loading would not be able to interfere with the fracture strength of the implants. The stresses generated was analyzed using the photoelastic method and fracture strength was recorded from the application of forces on the implant positioned at an angle of 30°, as most zirconia implants are used in anterior areas1313 Kohal RJ, Finke HC and Klaus G. Stability of prototype two-piece zirconia and titanium implants after artificial aging: an in vitro pilot study. Clinical Implant Dentistry and Related Research. 2009; 11(4):323-329. http://dx.doi.org/10.1111/j.1708-8208.2008.00116.x. PMid:18783418.
http://dx.doi.org/10.1111/j.1708-8208.20...
,1414 Andreiotelli M and Kohal R-J. Fracture strength of zirconia implants after artificial aging. Clinical Implant Dentistry and Related Research. 2009; 11(2):158-166. http://dx.doi.org/10.1111/j.1708-8208.2008.00105.x. PMid:18657150.
http://dx.doi.org/10.1111/j.1708-8208.20...
. The analyses of the results indicate that null hypotheses can be partially accepted. As for stress distribution, a statistically significant difference (p < .05) was found for some of points analyzed. However, no statistically significant difference (p > .05) was found for the fracture strength values when comparing the treatments to which the implants were submitted.

The photoelastic method chosen for the present research has been widely used by several authors1515 Brodsky JF, Caputo AA and Furstman LL. Root tipping: a photoelastic-histopathologic correlation. American Journal of Orthodontics. 1975; 67(1):1-10. http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/0002-9416(75)90124-4. PMid:803022.
http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/0002-9416(75)9...

16 Kim HC, Essaki S, Kameyama T and Yamamoto K. Photoelastic analysis of internal screw fixation after sagittal split ramus osteotomy. Journal of Cranio-Maxillo-Facial Surgery. 1993; 21(6):266-270. http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/S1010-5182(05)80045-9. PMid:8227377.
http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/S1010-5182(05)...

17 Pellizzer EP, Carli RI, Falcón-Antenucci RM, Verri FR, Goiato MC and Villa LM. Photoelastic analysis of stress distribution with different implant systems. The Journal of Oral Implantology. 2014; 40(2):117-122. http://dx.doi.org/10.1563/AAID-JOI-D-11-00138. PMid:22208909.
http://dx.doi.org/10.1563/AAID-JOI-D-11-...

18 Ozkir SE and Terzioglu H. Macro design effects on stress distribution around implants: a photoelastic stress analysis. Indian Journal of Dental Research. 2012; 23(5):603-607. http://dx.doi.org/10.4103/0970-9290.107346. PMid:23422604.
http://dx.doi.org/10.4103/0970-9290.1073...
-1919 Lee JI, Lee Y, Kim NY, Kim YL and Cho HW. A photoelastic stress analysis of screw- and cement-retained implant prostheses with marginal gaps. Clinical Implant Dentistry and Related Research. 2013; 15(5):735-749. PMid:23927066., who describe and qualify photoelasticity as being the method for analysis that allows the visualization of the stress on the bodies, which can be measured and photographed.

Some studies2020 Haraldson T. A photoelastic study of some biomechanical factors affecting the anchorage of osseointegrated implants in the jaw. Scandinavian Journal of Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery. 1980; 14(3):209-214. http://dx.doi.org/10.3109/02844318009106712. PMid:7209405.
http://dx.doi.org/10.3109/02844318009106...
,2121 Fuh LJ, Hsu JT, Huang HL, Chen MY and Shen YW. Biomechanical investigation of thread designs and interface conditions of zirconia and titanium dental implants with bone: three-dimensional numeric analysis. The International Journal of Oral & Maxillofacial Implants. 2013; 28(2):e64-e71. http://dx.doi.org/10.11607/jomi.2131. PMid:23527370.
http://dx.doi.org/10.11607/jomi.2131...
show that implant design is an important aspect in stress distribution and stress concentration, which can be minimized by the design. Thus, threaded implants present more favorable stress distribution than the non-threaded ones and these findings corroborate the data collected in the present study that shows that implants presented a more uniform stress distribution when compared with the cylinders of the same material.

In a qualitative analysis of stresses transmission applied on the cylinders (without spirals), despite the difference in elastic modulus of titanium and zirconium (120 GPa and 210 GPa respectively)2222 Chevalier J, Gremillard L and Deville S. Low-temperature degradation of zirconia and implications for biomedical implants. Annual Review of Materials Research. 2007; 37(1):1-32. http://dx.doi.org/10.1146/annurev.matsci.37.052506.084250.
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,2323 Denry I and Kelly JR. State of the art of zirconia for dental applications. Dental Materials. 2008; 24(3):299-307. http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.dental.2007.05.007. PMid:17659331.
http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.dental.2007....
, it was found that Zr and Ti showed the same pattern of force distribution, but at different intensities. The intensity of stress was evaluated using the quantitative method and, according to the results presented, it may be stated that no statistically significant difference was found among the 5 points assessed in comparison with Zr and Ti.

When the qualitatively transfer of stresses of the Ti and Zr implants was analyzed, a greater evidence of equivalence was noted mainly due to the removal of sharp angles at the apex inserted in the photoelastic resin, as found in the previous comparative analysis of the cylinders, and due to the presence of the spirals along the part that distributes forces more evenly along the implant post without stress concentration at the apex1818 Ozkir SE and Terzioglu H. Macro design effects on stress distribution around implants: a photoelastic stress analysis. Indian Journal of Dental Research. 2012; 23(5):603-607. http://dx.doi.org/10.4103/0970-9290.107346. PMid:23422604.
http://dx.doi.org/10.4103/0970-9290.1073...
,2020 Haraldson T. A photoelastic study of some biomechanical factors affecting the anchorage of osseointegrated implants in the jaw. Scandinavian Journal of Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery. 1980; 14(3):209-214. http://dx.doi.org/10.3109/02844318009106712. PMid:7209405.
http://dx.doi.org/10.3109/02844318009106...
,2424 Cehreli M, Duyck J, De Cooman M, Puers R and Naert I. Implant design and interface force transfer. A photoelastic and strain-gauge analysis. Clinical Oral Implants Research. 2004; 15(2):249-257. http://dx.doi.org/10.1111/j.1600-0501.2004.00979.x. PMid:15008938.
http://dx.doi.org/10.1111/j.1600-0501.20...
.

Some studies2525 Skalak R. Biomechanical considerations in osseointegrated prostheses. The Journal of Prosthetic Dentistry. 1983; 49(6):843-848. http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/0022-3913(83)90361-X. PMid:6576140.
http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/0022-3913(83)9...
,2626 Ciftçi Y and Canay S. Stress distribution on the metal framework of the implant-supported fixed prosthesis using different veneering materials. The International Journal of Prosthodontics. 2001; 14(5):406-411. PMid:12066633. reported a difference in transfer of stress around implants according to the type of implant material used. Other authors observed that stress transmitted to the bone is almost independent of the type of material used2727 Juodzbalys G, Kubilius R, Eidukynas V and Raustia AM. Stress distribution in bone: single-unit implant prostheses veneered with porcelain or a new composite material. Implant Dentistry. 2005; 14(2):166-175. http://dx.doi.org/10.1097/01.id.0000165030.59555.2c. PMid:15968189.
http://dx.doi.org/10.1097/01.id.00001650...

28 Markarian RA, Ueda C, Sendyk CL, Laganá DC and Souza RM. Stress distribution after installation of fixed frameworks with marginal gaps over angled and parallel implants: a photoelastic analysis. Journal of Prosthodontics. 2007; 16(2):117-122. http://dx.doi.org/10.1111/j.1532-849X.2007.00161.x. PMid:17362421.
http://dx.doi.org/10.1111/j.1532-849X.20...
-2929 Sertgöz A. Finite element analysis study of the effect of superstructure material on stress distribution in an implant-supported fixed prosthesis. The International Journal of Prosthodontics. 1997; 10(1):19-27. PMid:9484066., which is in agreement with the results of the present study that found a statistically significant difference (p < .05) only at one of the five points of stress assessed comparatively between the Zr and Ti implants.

Sertgöz2929 Sertgöz A. Finite element analysis study of the effect of superstructure material on stress distribution in an implant-supported fixed prosthesis. The International Journal of Prosthodontics. 1997; 10(1):19-27. PMid:9484066. concluded that the use of resilient materials to fabricate structures overloads the prosthetic screws, increasing the chances of system failure. Stegaroiu et al.3030 Stegaroiu R, Kusakari H, Nishiyama S and Miyakawa O. Influence of prosthesis material on stress distribution in bone and implant: a 3-dimensional finite element analysis. The International Journal of Oral & Maxillofacial Implants. 1998; 13(6):781-790. PMid:9857588. and Menani et al.3131 Menani LR, Tiossi R, de Torres ÉM, Ribeiro RF and de Almeida RP. Photoelastic stress analysis of different designs of cement-retained fixed partial dentures on Morse taper oral implants. The Journal of Craniofacial Surgery. 2011; 22(2):674-678. http://dx.doi.org/10.1097/SCS.0b013e3182074571. PMid:21415635.
http://dx.doi.org/10.1097/SCS.0b013e3182...
concluded that the use of ceramic prostheses decreases the amount of stress transmitted to the implants. Thus, the use of ceramic materials would be beneficial for implant survival when taking into account transfer of stress, which confirms the findings of the present study that found that the transfer of force of Zr implants was lower than the stress transmitted by metal implants.

The aging method selected for this study is closer to clinical reality with temperatures that did not exceed 50 °C and chewing simulation1414 Andreiotelli M and Kohal R-J. Fracture strength of zirconia implants after artificial aging. Clinical Implant Dentistry and Related Research. 2009; 11(2):158-166. http://dx.doi.org/10.1111/j.1708-8208.2008.00105.x. PMid:18657150.
http://dx.doi.org/10.1111/j.1708-8208.20...
,3232 Silva NR, Coelho PG, Fernandes CA, Navarro JM, Dias RA and Thompson VP. Reliability of one-piece ceramic implant. Journal of Biomedical Materials Research. 2009; 88(2):419-426. http://dx.doi.org/10.1002/jbm.b.31113. PMid:18491412.
http://dx.doi.org/10.1002/jbm.b.31113...
. The mean values, for normal chewing force in the area of posterior teeth, ranges from 250N to 400N, while the range of force for anterior teeth is from 110N to 170N1212 Fontijn-Tekamp FA, Slagter AP, Van Der Bilt A, Van 'T Hof MA, Witter DJ, Kalk W, et al. Biting and chewing in overdentures, full dentures, and natural dentitions. Journal of Dental Research. 2000; 79(7):1519-1524. http://dx.doi.org/10.1177/00220345000790071501. PMid:11005738.
http://dx.doi.org/10.1177/00220345000790...
. In the present study, force of 133N was used during mechanical cycling1111 International Organization for Standardization – ISO. ISO 14081: dentistry implants: dynamic fatigue test for endosseous dental implants. 2nd ed. Geneva; 2007., which is within the range of bite force in the area of anterior teeth in patients with normal occlusion1212 Fontijn-Tekamp FA, Slagter AP, Van Der Bilt A, Van 'T Hof MA, Witter DJ, Kalk W, et al. Biting and chewing in overdentures, full dentures, and natural dentitions. Journal of Dental Research. 2000; 79(7):1519-1524. http://dx.doi.org/10.1177/00220345000790071501. PMid:11005738.
http://dx.doi.org/10.1177/00220345000790...
.

Considering all mean values after fatigue treatments, the Zr implants fracture strength found in this study was 56 kgf, which was higher than the load exerted on the anterior area both for chewing and maximum anterior bite force1414 Andreiotelli M and Kohal R-J. Fracture strength of zirconia implants after artificial aging. Clinical Implant Dentistry and Related Research. 2009; 11(2):158-166. http://dx.doi.org/10.1111/j.1708-8208.2008.00105.x. PMid:18657150.
http://dx.doi.org/10.1111/j.1708-8208.20...
.

With temperatures ranging from 5 °C, 37 °C and 55 °C, no power supply is sufficient to destabilize the tetragonal phase in zirconia and transform it into a monoclinic phase1313 Kohal RJ, Finke HC and Klaus G. Stability of prototype two-piece zirconia and titanium implants after artificial aging: an in vitro pilot study. Clinical Implant Dentistry and Related Research. 2009; 11(4):323-329. http://dx.doi.org/10.1111/j.1708-8208.2008.00116.x. PMid:18783418.
http://dx.doi.org/10.1111/j.1708-8208.20...
,1414 Andreiotelli M and Kohal R-J. Fracture strength of zirconia implants after artificial aging. Clinical Implant Dentistry and Related Research. 2009; 11(2):158-166. http://dx.doi.org/10.1111/j.1708-8208.2008.00105.x. PMid:18657150.
http://dx.doi.org/10.1111/j.1708-8208.20...
, which could lead to reduction in strength, hardness and density, followed by micro- and macro-cracks and surface roughness3333 Swab JJ. Low temperature degradation of Y-TZP materials. Journal of Materials Science. 1991; 26(24):6706-6714. http://dx.doi.org/10.1007/BF02402664.
http://dx.doi.org/10.1007/BF02402664...
, which justifies the similar significant results (p > .05) among the groups studied. Thus, thermal or thermomechanical cycling did not play a decisive role in the properties of the materials studied, as shown by Weibull distribution (Figure 6 and 7).

Titanium presented higher fracture strength than the Zr implants with a statistically significant difference (p < .05) for all groups (Table 3). One reason for the low fracture strength of the Zr implants may be due to the surface machining process of the material to obtain the implant which may cause surface cracks leading to strength degradation of the material3434 Kosmac T, Oblak C, Jevnikar P, Funduk N and Marion L. Strength and reliability of surface treated Y-TZP dental ceramics. Journal of Biomedical Materials Research. 2000; 53(4):304-313. http://dx.doi.org/10.1002/1097-4636(2000)53:4<304::AID-JBM4>3.0.CO;2-S. PMid:10898871.
http://dx.doi.org/10.1002/1097-4636(2000...

35 Luthardt RG, Holzhüter M, Sandkuhl O, Herold V, Schnapp JD, Kuhlisch E, et al. Reliability and properties of ground Y-TZP-zirconia ceramics. Journal of Dental Research. 2002; 81(7):487-491. http://dx.doi.org/10.1177/154405910208100711. PMid:12161462.
http://dx.doi.org/10.1177/15440591020810...

36 Yin L, Jahanmir S and Ives LK. Abrasive machining of porcelain and zirconia with a dental hand piece. Wear. 2003; 255(7-12):975-989. http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/S0043-1648(03)00195-9.
http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/S0043-1648(03)...
-3737 Guazzato M, Quach L, Albakry M and Swain MV. Influence of surface and heat treatments on the flexural strength of Y-TZP dental ceramic. Journal of Dentistry. 2005; 33(1):9-18. http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.jdent.2004.07.001. PMid:15652163.
http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.jdent.2004.0...
. Another reason for the disparity among the results in fracture strength of Zr and Ti implants are the physical, chemical and mechanical properties of each of these materials.

Based on the methodology used in this study and the results obtained and discussed, it can be concluded that stress distribution was similar for Zr and Ti and mechanical and thermomechanical fatigue did not influence fracture strength of the implants tested, however, further studies need to be conducted to understand the biological, functional and aesthetic aspects of zirconia implants before they can be recommended for daily practice.

Acknowledgements

The authors would like to thank FAPESP (Grant no 2010/12072-8) for the financial support.

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    » http://dx.doi.org/10.1177/154405910208100711
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    » http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/S0043-1648(03)00195-9
  • 37
    Guazzato M, Quach L, Albakry M and Swain MV. Influence of surface and heat treatments on the flexural strength of Y-TZP dental ceramic. Journal of Dentistry. 2005; 33(1):9-18. http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.jdent.2004.07.001. PMid:15652163.
    » http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.jdent.2004.07.001

Publication Dates

  • Publication in this collection
    Sep-Oct 2015

History

  • Received
    30 July 2015
  • Reviewed
    24 Aug 2015
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