Effect of a preseating cementation protocol on the retention of implant restorations using a definitive cement

Abstract

Purpose: This investigation analyzed the effects of a preseating cementation protocol on the amount of cement excess at the crown margin and its associated tensile load using a glass ionomer definitive cement. Materials and Methods: The independent variable in this study was the cementation technique. The first protocol involved a conventional cementation procedure and the second one preseating on an abutment replica. Ten metallic copings were cemented using a definitive cement on ten implant abutments for each cementation protocol. Cement excess at the margin was weighted (mg), and axial tensile load was measured 24 h after cementation. Results were statistically analyzed using linear regression and one-way analysis of variance (α = 0.05). Results: The cementation protocol with preseating resulted in a significantly smaller amount of cement excess at the crown margin (P ≤ 0.001) without detriment on the tensile resistance when compared to the experimental group without preseating (P = 0.41). Linear regression failed to prove any correlation between the amount of cement excess and tensile load necessary for dislodgement. Conclusions: A preseating protocol can be performed when using a definitive cement. This procedure reduces significantly the amount of cement excess at the margin while maintaining an acceptable tensile load resistance.