Effect of hemispherical dimples at titanium implant abutments for the retention of cemented crowns.

Purpose: The aim of this study was to assess the effect of hemispherical dimple structures on the retention of cobalt-chromium (Co-Cr) crowns cemented to titanium abutments, with different heights and numbers of dimples on the axial walls.

Materials and methods: 3.0-mm and 6.0-mm abutments (N = 180) and Co-Cr crowns were prepared. The experimental groups were divided into two and four dimple groups. The crowns were cemented by TempBond and PANAVIA F 2.0 cements. The retention forces were measured after thermal treatments. A two-way Analysis of Variance (ANOVA) and post-hoc Tukey HSD test were conducted to analyze change in retention forces by use of dimples between groups, as well as t test for the effect of abutment height change (α = .05).

Results: Results of the two-way ANOVA showed a statistically significant difference in retention force due to the use of dimples, regardless of the types of cements used (P < .001). A significantly higher mean retention forces were observed in the groups with dimples than in the control group, using the post hoc Tukey HSD test (P < .001). Results of t test displayed a statistically significant increase in the retention force with 6.0-mm abutments compared with 3.0-mm abutments (P < .001). The groups without dimples revealed adhesive failure of cements, while the groups with dimples showed mixed failure of cements.

Conclusion: Use of hemispherical dimples was effective for increasing retention forces of cemented crowns.