Effect of Gingival Height of a Titanium Base on the Biomechanical Behavior of 2-piece Custom Implant Abutments: A 3-dimensional Nonlinear Finite Element Study

Statement Of Problem: Titanium base (TiBase) abutments to restore an implant-supported single crown are available in different gingival heights, but information on the biomechanical effects of the gingival heights is lacking.

Purpose: The purpose of this nonlinear finite element analysis study was to evaluate the effects of TiBase gingival heights on the biomechanical behavior of custom zirconia (CustomZir) abutments and TiBase, including von Mises stress and maximum and minimum principal stress.

Material And Methods: TiBases with different gingival heights (0.5 mm, 1 mm, 1.5 mm, and 2 mm) with internal hexagon Morse taper connections were simulated in 3-dimensional models. The simulations (ANSYS Workbench 2020; ANSYS Inc) included the OsseoSpeed EV implant (Ø5.4 mm) (AstraTech; Dentsply Sirona), restoration, and surrounding bone in the mandibular first molar region. An occlusal force of 200 N was applied with a 2-mm horizontal offset toward the buccal side and a 30-degree inclination from the vertical axis.

Results: High-stress concentration was observed in the uppermost internal connection area on the buccal side and the antirotational part of the titanium abutment on the lingual side in all models. CustomZir abutments with a shorter gingival height exhibited larger concentrated areas of volume average stress von Mises stress and higher magnitude of maximum and minimum principal stress compared with a taller gingival height.

Conclusions: A TiBase abutment with a taller gingival height reduced the fracture risk of a CustomZir abutment without increasing any mechanical risk.