1. Introduction
Prosthetic restorations presently employ a range of materials. However, both metal-ceramic and double-layer all-ceramic restorations are susceptible to technical complications, primarily cohesive fracture of the veneering ceramic, commonly named chipping [
1,
2,
3,
4,
5]. The monolithic design of all-ceramic crowns has been proposed as a means to mitigate mechanical issues owing to its exceptional anti-fracture mechanical properties and biocompatibility [
6]. Monolithic zirconia has emerged as an alternative material to diminish the incidence of mechanical complications attributed to the fracture of the veneering ceramic, while also economizing manufacturing time and improving cost-effectiveness [
1,
6]. Nonetheless, variations in the cementation gap stemming from different zirconia milling procedures can impact the final retention of the crown [
7].
In the selection of the fixation method for the final restoration of an implant by a prosthetic element, the choice typically revolves around two primary types: screw fixation and cemented fixation. Cement-fixed crowns, although challenging to remove, offer superior aesthetic qualities and heightened resistance to fracture compared to screw-fixed crowns, which are prone to aesthetic issues, premature screw loosening, and crown fractures, despite providing easier removal for maintenance purposes [
8,
9,
10,
11,
12]. Moreover, the cement layer can serve as a shock absorber, transferring occlusal loads to the implant-bone complex [
13,
14,
15,
16]. To enhance conventional retention methods, a novel connection involving the use of a coping inserted into the crown and subsequently placed on the abutment has been introduced (biconometric concept) [
17]. This approach is rooted in the Morse cone concept, predicated on the friction between the abutment's outer surface and the coping's inner surface, with the objective of establishing an effective biological seal and mitigating the risk of bacterial infiltration and peri-implantitis. The precise fit and the physical phenomenon of friction ensure the prosthesis’ retention. Notably, an increase in the taper angle of the connection leads to a reduction in system retention. Conversely, a diminutive taper angle augments retention, thereby making disengagement of the connection challenging due to elevated interface forces [
18,
19]. Furthermore, an in vitro study demonstrated that the retention force remains constant over time after 5,000 cycles of coping insertion and separation, underscoring the effectiveness of this taper system overall [
20].
In this particular type of connection, the prosthetic crown is affixed to the coping using cement. The selection of cement to bond the crown to the connection element (cap) is pivotal in enhancing the longevity of the prosthetic restoration. In dentistry, a wide array of dental cement options exist, with resin-based and glass ionomer cement ranking as the most prevalent choices [
21,
22,
23,
24,
25,
26,
27,
28]. Resin cement exhibits a superior affinity for bonding to enamel surfaces, dentin, and metal alloys compared to glass ionomer cement. Moreover, it features accelerated setting times and contributes to heightened crown stability. Typically, these types of cement constitute composites of acrylic or acrylic resin and adhesive monomers capable of bonding with the underlying substrate [
29,
30,
31,
32]. On the other hand, while comparatively less robust and adhesive than resin cement, glass ionomer cement offers distinctive advantages, including the release of fluoride ions, which effectively deter sub-coronal cavities. These types of cement are often employed in scenarios where mechanical strength is not of primary concern but where enhanced protection against cavities is imperative [
33,
34]. They are widely utilized in crown restorations directly on the tooth. The adhesive thickness between the restoration and the prosthetic element is an essential factor influencing cementation durability. Thin cement layers promote optimal adhesion and retention of the restoration. Conversely, excessively thick films in cement can adversely impact retention due to the ineffective breaking of robust bonds between cement and restoration by propagating cracks. Instead, these cracks advance through the comparatively weaker cement layer, surpassing its cohesive strength, as illustrated in
Figure 1. A ticker cement film corresponds to diminished retention. Notably, film thicknesses exceeding 75 µm can expedite washout and contribute to retention failure [
35].
Cement thickness significantly affects stress transmission in prosthetic components and bone. In the study conducted by El-Anwar et al. [
35], they observed that an increase in cement thickness reduced stress on cortical bone. Concurrently, other finite element analysis (FEA) studies explored various cement-related factors influencing stress, revealing that cement with a large Young's modulus, and thus stiffer properties, led to greater stresses [
37,
38,
39].
This study aimed to assess stress on prosthetic components and bone by conducting an FEA on two different implant types and varying the thickness of resin-based cement (ranging from 20 to 60 µm) on a zirconia crown restoration using a conometric system between the coping and the abutment.
The null hypothesis of this study assumed that cement thickness does not significantly influence stress transmission.
3. Results
The outcomes derived from computational processing conducted through FEA software (ANSYS 2023, Workbench, Canonsburg, PA, USA) scrutinized von Mises stresses and strains within cortical and trabecular bone tissues.
Figure 7 illustrates stress and strain findings in bone using a 20 µm cement layer.
The maximum von Mises stress value manifested in the cortical bone at the implant contact zone. Notably,
Figure 7a captured an approximate stress level of 70 MPa for the Cyroth implant, while consistently exhibiting 63 MPa in the same zone for the TAC implant. Moreover, the TAC implant engendered a heightened stress of 6 MPa compared to 2.5 MPa for the Cyroth at the apical zone.
The range of strains on bone differed between the Cyroth and TAC implants in specific zones. In the cortical area, the Cyroth implant produced a greater strain of 643.97 µε compared to the TAC implant’s 532.41 µε. Conversely, in the apical zone, the TAC implant generated a higher strain on the trabecular bone, measuring 256.47 µε compared to the Cyroth implant’s 220.32 µε.
Figure 8 depicts the stress and strain results in the bone using a 40 µm cement layer, demonstrating that an increased cement thickness leads to reduced stress and strain for both implants. This reduction is more pronounced when utilizing a 60 µm cement layer, as shown in
Figure 9.
The data presented in
Figure 10 summarizes the von Mises stress results in the bone with the two implants, considering various cement thicknesses (20, 40, and 60 µm). It was observed that there was a greater reduction of stress in the cortical bone with both implants. The stress distribution in the apical zone and trabecular bone demonstrated a relatively constant trend. Furthermore, it was evident that the TAC implant induced higher stress in the apical area compared to the Cyroth implant across all considered cement thicknesses.
Based on the aforementioned findings, it can be inferred that the range of strains on the bone, considering two different implants and the analysis of various cement thicknesses, fell within the realm of physiological strains [
51,
52]. Consequently, with regard to bone remodeling, no significant concerns have arisen. It is important to note that the TAC implant registered the lowest strain value when a 60 µm cement layer was used, while the Cyroth implant exhibited the highest strain value when a 20 µm cement layer was employed. Similarly, a reduction in cement thickness with the implants resulted in a decrease in the maximum stress on the abutment neck at the point of contact with the implant (
Figure 11).
This identified stress zone is logical as a 200 N load at a 45° angle applied to the prosthetic crown induced bending on the abutment, thereby localizing the stresses. Following the examination of
Figure 11b and c, it is evident that the stress reduction became less sensitive for cement thicknesses between 40 and 60 µm. Specifically, with a cement thickness of 20 µm, the maximum stresses at the abutment for both implants were approximately 309.22 MPa. Increasing the thickness to 40 µm reduced the maximum stress to about 250.62 MPa, which stabilized at around 248.22 MPa with a 60 µm cement thickness. While the stresses on the abutments were comparable for both the Cyroth and TAC implants, the stress on the implant body differed. Upon comparing the results in
Figure 11 a, b, and c, it is evident that the TAC implant experienced greater stress due to its more tapered morphology, making it less cylindrical than the Cyroth implant. This is evident in the more extensive yellow areas on the TAC implant.
Figure 12 shows the von Mises stress distribution between the cement and the crown and coping prosthetic structures, factoring in the TAC implant, as the stress distribution between the crown, cement, and coping was also equivalent for the Cyroth implant.
As the thickness of the cement increased, there was a corresponding increase in internal stress. This phenomenon elucidated the rationale behind the stiffer system behavior observed when utilizing a thin layer of cement, with the majority of stress being distributed to the implant and bone. Conversely, increasing the thickness resulted in the absorption of stress distribution. Notably, a 60 µm layer exhibited a higher load absorption by the cement at 26.41 MPa, in contrast to the 2.41 MPa load absorption with a reduced thickness of 20 µm. The optimal strength for a resin-based cement is approximately 29.7 MPa and exceeding the 60 µm thickness threshold is implicated in potential strength issues [
35].
4. Discussion
The main objective of this study was to evaluate the stress exerted on prosthetic components and bone through FEA of two different types of implants. This involved varying the thickness of resin-based cement (20, 40, and 60 µm) on a zirconia crown restoration using a conometric connection between the coping and the abutment. The findings obtained, consistent with existing literature, indicated that an increase in cement thickness from 20 to 60 µm resulted in reduced stresses, especially on cortical bone. Additionally, it was observed that this increase in thickness induced an alteration in the internal stress distribution within the cement, leading to critical mechanical strength phenomena for thicknesses of 60 µm. This stress level approached the strength of resin cement. Consequently, the null hypothesis is rejected due to the significant impact on stress transmission within prosthetic structures and peri-implant tissues as a result of changes in cement thickness.
The selection between cemented and screw-retained prostheses in implant dentistry is a subject of considerable interest among dental professionals [
13,
14,
15,
53]. Cemented prostheses present several advantages, encompassing precise fitting, robust biomechanical stability, absence of screw access holes, superior occlusal design, and adaptability to accommodate malpositioned implant prosthetics. Additionally, the cement layer serves as a shock absorber, compensating for dimensional variations between the restoration and the anchor element. However, a potential drawback of cemented prostheses is the challenge associated with the removal of excess cement, which can result in complications such as periimplantitis, peri-implant mucositis, and marginal bone loss [
8,
9,
10,
54]. Conversely, screw-retained prostheses offer facilitated retrieval. Despite their benefits, they are more susceptible to technical issues, including component fractures and screw loosening [
12,
55,
56]. Moreover, in a cemented restoration, the reduction in the number of screws restricts the micro-movement of the components. While this reduction may be advantageous in addressing issues linked to the mechanical strength of prosthetic components, it also influences the transmission of forces within the implant system. Indeed, as previously demonstrated, the decrease in micromovements and, thus, the capacity to absorb forces, results in an altered stress distribution, particularly on bone structures [
57]. Direct transmission of masticatory loads from the occlusal surface to the bone is evident, signifying that forces generated during mastication may not be adequately dissipated by prosthetic components, ultimately leading to heightened stress on bone tissues [
57,
58].
Addressing the aforementioned challenges associated with the two existing retention systems, both dental research and industry have introduced a novel prosthetic connection known as Morse cone (conometrics) [
59]. This innovative connection involves the utilization of a conometric coping, which serves as an intermediary component between the implant abutment and the prosthetic crown. The conometric connection features a male cone on the connecting element (abutment) and a female cone on the prefabricated cap, meticulously designed to interlock securely without the requirement of cement or screws [
60]. This approach facilitated the secure attachment of prosthetic components, mitigating the risk of cement residue or screw loosening, while also allowing for convenient removal and reinsertion of the prosthesis when necessary. Furthermore, the tapered connection not only ensures stability but also promotes enhanced hygiene by eliminating potential cement-related inflammation and peri-implant complications.
The prosthetic crown, as previously mentioned, is affixed to the tapered coping using cement. Cements used in dental applications are pivotal to the success of restorations. In the context of tapered coping connections, the primary role of the cement is to securely bond the prosthetic crown to the coping while ensuring superior aesthetic properties. The mechanical attributes of the cement, including type, thickness, and stiffness, are fundamental not only for ensuring adequate retention but also for facilitating load transmission without creating regions of stress concentration that may lead to excessive bone resorption. Resin cement has garnered increasing favor within the dental field owing to its elevated compressive and tensile strength, low solubility, and favorable aesthetic properties. These cements are distinguished by their capacity to withstand substantial force and stress. Moreover, in vitro and clinical studies have indicated that resin-composite adhesion can contribute toward stress distribution and prevention of crack propagation within ceramic material repairs [
35,
50,
61].
As regards the choice of cement thickness, in an FEA study by El-Anwar et al. [
35], it was observed that increasing the thickness of the cement layer from 40 to 60 µm resulted in a decrease in the maximum von Mises stress on the cortical bone, while its impact on the trabecular bone was found to be negligible. Furthermore, it was noted that increasing the cement thickness led to a reduction in the maximum von Mises stress for both glass ionomer and zinc phosphate resin cement, with varying percentage changes based on the thickness and type of the cement. Generally, increasing the cement thickness may promote a more favorable stress distribution, thereby minimizing the maximum stress on cortical bones and exerting a relatively lesser influence on trabecular bones. Nonetheless, the use of excessively thick layers could potentially lead to "washout", a phenomenon characterized by the removal of cement due to external stresses, such as those induced by oral fluids. Notably, thicknesses exceeding 75 µm were found to expedite washout and result in retention failure. Consequently, this study sought to examine, via the FEA method, the mechanical behavior of the resin-based cement utilized to affix prosthetic crowns on a tapered coping positioned on the abutments of two distinct implants, Cyroth and TAC, each characterized by unique implant shapes.
The models utilized in this study may not fully comprehensively replicate actual human oral conditions, warranting further clinical studies to authenticate the findings. This methodology also presents drawbacks related to software familiarity, the impact of configuration parameters on results, and the requirement for comprehensive knowledge about the behavior of analyzed components. It is important to note that while FEA is a valuable numerical investigation method, it cannot fully simulate tissue behavior or accurately represent the complexity of the biological field. Moreover, it is susceptible to potential numerical errors. The assumption of homogeneity, isotropy, and linear elasticity of all materials, and the condition of complete osseointegration between the bone and implants were posited, despite the impracticality of these assumptions in clinical practice [
62].
Notwithstanding the limitations of the presented FEA study, a notable conclusion could be drawn. Indeed, the preliminary results suggested that increasing cement thickness can reduce stress, particularly in cortical bone, compared to trabecular bone, which has a more uniform stress distribution at the interface with the implant body. The Cyroth implant was observed to induce a greater stress field and strain on the cortical bone than the TAC implant, while the TAC implant generated more stress and strain in the apical zone. It was noted that as cement thickness increases, the internal stress absorbed by the cement also increases. In addition, criticalities may arise when the cement thickness reaches approximately 60 µm as the absorbed stress value approaches the material’s strength value. Both implants, when loaded at the occlusal surface of the zirconia prosthesis with a 200 N load inclined at 45° to the apical direction, exhibited a strain field within the range of physiological bone behavior as proposed by Frost [63].
Further investigational studies involving variations in prosthetic crown material or bone quality are necessary to comprehend the optimal trade-off between cement type and thickness.
Author Contributions
Conceptualization, B.T., M.C. and L.C.; methodology, M.C., T.R., L.C. and A.C.; software, M.C.; validation, B.T., A.P. and N.D.P.; formal analysis, M.C. and T.R.; investigation, M.C., T.R., G.D., A.M.I., F.I. and A.C.; resources, B.T.; data curation, N.D.P. and T.R.; writing—original draft preparation, M.C., T.R. and B.T.; writing—review and editing, N.D.P. and T.R.; visualization, A.P.; supervision, B.T. and N.D.P.; project administration, A.P. and B.T. All authors have read and agreed to the published version of the manuscript
Figure 1.
Failure patterns for (a) thin and (b) thick cement films beneath crowns.
Figure 1.
Failure patterns for (a) thin and (b) thick cement films beneath crowns.
Figure 2.
Representative three-dimensional (3D) model of the analyzed components.
Figure 2.
Representative three-dimensional (3D) model of the analyzed components.
Figure 3.
3D models of the implants: a) TAC and Cyroth (AoN Implants, Grisignano di Zocco, Italy) implants; b) cross-sectional view of the implant-abutment and abutment-cap conometric connections.
Figure 3.
3D models of the implants: a) TAC and Cyroth (AoN Implants, Grisignano di Zocco, Italy) implants; b) cross-sectional view of the implant-abutment and abutment-cap conometric connections.
Figure 4.
Complete 3D model: a) bone block dimensions; b) cross-sectional representation of the subcrestal implant insertion (1.5 mm); c) cross-sectional detail of the interface between the coping and crown, encompassing varying cement thicknesses (20, 40, 60 μm).
Figure 4.
Complete 3D model: a) bone block dimensions; b) cross-sectional representation of the subcrestal implant insertion (1.5 mm); c) cross-sectional detail of the interface between the coping and crown, encompassing varying cement thicknesses (20, 40, 60 μm).
Figure 5.
Loading and constraints conditions.
Figure 5.
Loading and constraints conditions.
Figure 6.
Model meshes: (a) mesh of the entire model; (b) mesh of the two implants; (c) mesh of the sectional view of the model.
Figure 6.
Model meshes: (a) mesh of the entire model; (b) mesh of the two implants; (c) mesh of the sectional view of the model.
Figure 7.
FEA results on bone testing a cement layer of 20 µm: (a) von Mises stress; (b) equivalent elastic strain. .
Figure 7.
FEA results on bone testing a cement layer of 20 µm: (a) von Mises stress; (b) equivalent elastic strain. .
Figure 8.
FEA results on bone testing a cement layer of 40 µm: (a) von Mises stress; (b) equivalent elastic strain.
Figure 8.
FEA results on bone testing a cement layer of 40 µm: (a) von Mises stress; (b) equivalent elastic strain.
Figure 9.
FEA results on bone testing a cement layer of 60 µm: (a) von Mises stress; (b) equivalent elastic strain.
Figure 9.
FEA results on bone testing a cement layer of 60 µm: (a) von Mises stress; (b) equivalent elastic strain.
Figure 10.
Von Mises stress results for (a) Cyroth and (b) TAC implants, considering various cement layers (20, 40, and 60 µm).
Figure 10.
Von Mises stress results for (a) Cyroth and (b) TAC implants, considering various cement layers (20, 40, and 60 µm).
Figure 11.
Von Mises stress values on prosthetic components with various cement thicknesses: a) 20 µm, b) 40 µm, and c) 60 µm.
Figure 11.
Von Mises stress values on prosthetic components with various cement thicknesses: a) 20 µm, b) 40 µm, and c) 60 µm.
Figure 12.
Maximum von Mises stress values on cement based on its thickness: a) 20 µm, b) 40 µm, and c) 60 µm.
Figure 12.
Maximum von Mises stress values on cement based on its thickness: a) 20 µm, b) 40 µm, and c) 60 µm.
Table 1.
Type and chemical composition of cement used in the analysis.
Table 1.
Type and chemical composition of cement used in the analysis.
Cement |
Type / Curing |
Composition |
Multilink Hybrid Abutment (MHA) |
Resin-based cement/ Auto-polymerization |
Dimethacrylate, HEMA1, fillers (barium glass, ytterbium (III) fluoride, spheroid mixed oxides, titanium dioxide), MMA2, PMMA3, dimethacrylates, initiators |
Table 2.
List of material properties used in the finite element analysis (FEA).
Table 2.
List of material properties used in the finite element analysis (FEA).
Model |
Material |
Young’s Modulus (GPa) |
Poisson’s ratio (ν) |
Crown |
Zirconia |
205 |
0.34 |
Cement |
Resin-based cement (MHA) |
6.3 |
0.25 |
Cap |
Ti6Al4V |
110 |
0.35 |
Abutment |
Ti6Al4V |
110 |
0.35 |
Implant |
Ti6Al4V |
110 |
0.35 |
Jaw bone 1 |
Spongy |
1.37 |
0.30 |
Jaw bone 2 |
Cortical |
13.7 |
0.30 |