Compliant Keeper system replication of the periodontal ligament protective damping function for implants: part II.

Statement Of Problem: There are numerous articles regarding implant overloading, interfacial integrity and component failure. A significant amount of literature review supports the concept of the progressive loading and damping, and it should be addressed.

Purpose: This study was designed to correlate durometer measurements of the elastomeric test materials and actual Periotest values (PTV) of the test materials as preloaded sleeve rings in Compliant Keeper abutments to support the Compliant Keeper as a viable implant damping system.

Material And Methods: A 4-unit fixed-removable implant-supported partial denture was the test model. Sleeve ring combinations replaced "O" rings and 220 Periotest measurements were graphically recorded, then analyzed by least square of means, 2-way analysis of variance, and a Tukey test.

Results: There was a correlation between durometer measurements and PTVs of sleeve rings. Finite movement was measured accurately with the Periotest (P =. 0001) so that Compliant Keeper systems can be programmed to match the movement of another implant abutment, because they might be able to match the PTV of a natural abutment.

Conclusions: Significant differences exist between the "O" rings and sleeve rings. The sleeve ring, as a controllable damping element, enables the Compliant Keeper system to provide progressive loading and damping for implant-supported prostheses.