Study of the Effect of GapSeal on Microgap and Microleakage in Internal Hex Connection After Cyclic Loading

Formation of microgaps between the fixture and abutment surfaces is still one of the major problems that may lead to mechanical and biological failure and inflammation around the implant. In this study, the effect of GapSeal on the prevention of liquid leakage and microgap in internal hex connection was investigated.

In this experimental study, sixteen internal hex implants (BioHorizons) were used in two groups. All implant-abutment assemblies were mounted in acrylic molds. GapSeal was inserted into the implants in the case group. All specimens were given a torque of 30 Ncm. Then, 1,200,000 cycles with a 100-N force and frequency of 1 Hz were applied to all samples. The samples were immersed in a methylene blue solution for microleakage evaluation. Microgap was randomly measured at six areas using scanning electron microscopy (SEM). Data were analyzed by SPSS 22 software using t-test.

The size of microgap was 3.04±0.54 µm in the control group and 0.99±0.39 µm in the case group, which was three times larger in the control group; the t-test showed that this difference was significant (P<0.000). In the control group, all samples (100%) showed leakage in the internal hex connection while in the case group, none of the samples (0%) showed leakage; Fischer's exact test showed that the difference was statistically significant (P<0.0001).

According to the results of this study, it can be concluded that GapSeal reduces microgap and microleakage in the case group compared to the control group.