Purpose: This study aimed to evaluate the accuracy of fit between implant and abutment using different types of abutments.
Methods: A total of 32 titanium implants with 3.5mm diameter, 12mm length and conical connection were used in this study. All implants were randomly divided into four equal groups according to the type of the abutment used as follows: Group I (Control Group): Ready-made Titanium abutment . Group II: Custom-made Gold abutment . Group III: Custom-made Co-Cr abutment with prefabricated machined Co-Cr base . Group IV: Custom-made Fully Casted Co-Cr abutment. Abutments for groups II, III, IV were fabricated using the conventional casting technique to obtain custom-made gold abutments for group II and custom-made Co-Cr abutments for groups III, IV. All the abutments were tightened at 35 N/cm using manual Torque Wrench. The x-ray sensor was placed parallel to the implant and a radiograph was taken for each sample. The distance from the end of the base of the abutment till the beginning of the screw holes of the implant was measured in mm. Data were statistically studied.
Results: Results showed that Group IV had the statistically significantly highest mean value. Group III showed statistically significantly lower mean value. There was no statistically significant difference between Group I and Group II; both showed statistically significantly lowest mean values.
Conclusions: Within the limitations of this study, it was concluded that: Custom-made Co-Cr abutments with prefabricated Co-Cr base revealed promising results. Casted connections don't seem to be a good alternative to machined connections.