Fig. 4

Synchrotron-based microtomography of microgap formation in MA implant. (I: Implant; A: Abutment; AS: Abutment screw); a: Even after force release a large microgap remains on the application side of the IAC. The azimuthal extension of the gap can be observed from horizontal micro-tomography slices (level of the slice is indicated by horizontal white line in the left hand tile, the diagonal white line in the right hand tile indicates the direction of previous load application) The side of application displays a sickle-shaped microgap (box in the right hand tile); b: Additional observation from radiography: off-axis loading leads to tilting abutment movement inside IAC and slight lateral implant wall deformation visible at right white positioning line