Use of luting agents with an implant system: Part I.

When removal of the provisionally cemented superstructure from a cemented abutment becomes necessary, the retentive strengths of the abutment/fixture and superstructure/abutment luting agents become important considerations. This study compared the retentive strengths of castings cemented to machined titanium implant abutments and to a human premolar with three provisional luting agents. Also tested were the retentive strengths of cast noble metal implant abutments cemented into titanium fixtures with three permanent luting agents both dry and after storage in 0.9% physiologic saline for 30 days at 37 degrees C. No significant differences (alpha < 0.05) were noted in retentive values between the cemented castings on the titanium abutments and the natural tooth. The Temp Bond zinc oxide-eugenol luting agent exhibited a lower mean retentive strength than the IRM reinforced zinc oxide-eugenol and Life calcium hydroxide luting agents. Ketac Cem glass-ionomer cemented abutments that were stored in saline exhibited a significantly higher mean retentive strength than abutments cemented with either Core Paste or Resiment resin luting agents. On the basis of results from this study, it may be concluded that superstructures provisionally cemented with Temp Bond, IRM, or Life luting agents may be removed from implant abutments without disturbing the abutment/fixture or implant bond.