Does implantoplasty affect the failure strength of narrow and regular diameter implants? A laboratory study

Objective To assess whether the impact of implantoplasty (IP) on the maximum implant failure strength depends on implant type/design, diameter, or material. Methods Fourteen implants each of different type/design [bone (BL) and tissue level (TL)], diameter [narrow (3.3 mm) and regular (4.1 mm)], and material [titanium grade IV (Ti) and titanium-zirconium alloy (TiZr)] of one company were used. Half of the implants were subjected to IP in a computerized torn. All implants were subjected to dynamic loading prior to loading until failure to simulate regular mastication. Multiple linear regression analyses were performed with maximum implant failure strength as dependent variable and IP, implant type/design, diameter, and material as predictors. Results Implants subjected to IP and TL implants showed statistically significant reduced implant failure strength irrespective of the diameter compared with implants without IP and BL implants, respectively. Implant material had a significant impact for TL implants and for regular diameter implants, with TiZr being stronger than Ti. During dynamic loading, 1 narrow Ti TL implant without IP, 4 narrow Ti TL implants subjected to IP, and 1 narrow TiZr TL implant subjected to IP were fractured. Conclusion IP significantly reduced the maximum implant failure strength, irrespective implant type/design, diameter, or material, but the maximum implant failure strength of regular diameter implants and of narrow BL implants remained high.