The role of welding techniques in the biomechanical behavior of implant-supported prostheses

- Welding techniques improve the mechanical behavior of 3-unit Ti frameworks.
- 2D and 3D misfit reading methods allow a satisfactory in vitro fit-reading of frameworks.
- Lower misfit generates lower strain levels in the implant-supported system.
- Lower misfit levels produce greater screw torque maintenance.

This in vitro study investigated the role of welding techniques of implant-supported prostheses in the 2D and 3D marginal misfits of prosthetic frameworks, strain induced on the mini abutment, and detorque of prosthetic screws. The correlations between the analyzed variables were also investigated. Frameworks were cast in commercially pure titanium (cp-Ti). A marginal misfit of 200 μm was simulated in the working models (control group) (n = 20). The 2D marginal misfit was analyzed according to the single-screw test protocol using a precision optical microscope. The 3D marginal misfit was performed by X-ray microtomography. Strain gauge analysis was performed to investigate the strain induced on the mini abutment. A digital torque meter was used for analysis of the detorque and the mean value was calculated for each framework. Afterwards, the frameworks were divided into two experimental groups (n = 10): Laser (L) and TIG (T). The welding techniques were performed according to the following parameters: L (390 V/9 ms); T (36 A/60 ms). The L and T groups were reevaluated according to the marginal misfit, strain, and detorque. The results were submitted to one-way ANOVA followed by Tukey's HSD test and Person correlation analysis (α = 0.05). Welding techniques statistically reduced the 2D and 3D marginal misfits of prosthetic frameworks (p < 0.001), the strain induced on the mini abutment replicas (p = 0.006), and improved the screw torque maintenance (p < 0.001). Similar behavior was noted between L and T groups for all dependent variables (p > 0.05). Positive correlations were observed between 2D and 3D marginal misfit reading methods (r = 0.943, p < 0.0001) and between misfit and strain (2D r = 0.844, p < 0.0001 and 3D r = 0.864, p < 0.0001). Negative correlation was observed between misfit and detorque (2D r = − 0.823, p = 0.003 and 3D r = − 0.811, p = 0.005). In conclusion, the welding techniques improved the biomechanical behavior of the implant-supported system. TIG can be an acceptable and affordable technique to reduce the misfit of 3-unit Ti frameworks.

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