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Clinically, a perfectly passive-fit prosthesis is desired but difficult to obtain due to the material and technical limitations. When a prosthesis of clinically acceptable fit is tightened on the abutments (or fixtures), static stresses are generated in the framework and abutments (or fixtures). Tills in vitro study utilized strain-gauge technique to evaluate the effect of (1) different framework-abutment fitting inaccuracies, (2) different sequences of gold screw tightening, and (3) different framework materials on the distribution of stresses generated on die framework and abutments. Models and frameworks were designed according to a three-unit implant-supported porcelain fused to metal bridge with fixtures replacing lower first premolar and lower first molar. Strain gauges were bonded on the occlusal surfaces of the frameworks and die mesial and distal surfaces of the abutments. Bending of die joints of the frameworks and the abutments were defined and were used to represent how stresses were distributed. Two-way and three-way ANOVA for repeated measures with methods (screw-tightening sequences) were applied for statistical analysis. The data showed that bending increased significantly with increase in fitting inaccuracy (P<0.001). Under the same degree of fitting inaccuracy and with die same framework material, similar patterns of stress distribution were observed on the frameworks and abutments with different sequences of gold screw tightening. Significant differences (P<0.001) were observed in stress distribution of Ag-Pd (Jelstar) framework and Gold (Jelenko O) framework especially with small fitting inaccuracies; the pattern of stress distribution became similar as the degree of fitting inaccuracy increased. Strain-gauge data revealed that 105 μm fitting inaccuracy of Ag-Pd framework and 45μm and 135μm fitting inaccuracies of Gold framework could not be closed by means of tightening the gold screw. The data suggested that the degree of framework-abutment fitting inaccuracy has significant influence on the stress distributions of tire frameworks and abutments, the tightening sequence of gold screw has less significant effects on the stress distributions. The material of frameworks itself has significant effect on the stress distributions especially when the fitting inaccuracies are small.
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