Scanning electron microscopy evaluation of the interfacial fit of interchanged components of four dental implant systems.

The introduction of the original Swedish implant system (Brånemark) was followed by several alternative implant systems with implants and components that closely resembled the original design and treatment protocol. Some of these alternative systems may be interchangeable. Manufacturing variations can result in as much as 0.1 mm of space between the component parts. The implant/abutment interface fit was evaluated by scanning electron micrography for each of four implant systems, as well as interchanged components between the various systems. Results showed that certain implant system abutments are interchangeable, and that the accuracy of fit meets with or exceeds the criteria set by the original Swedish system.