Effects of Cement Type and Vent Hole Presence on Mass-Based Cement Removal Efficiency and Residual Cement Area in Implant Prostheses

Residual cement is an important risk factor for peri-implant complications, and both cement properties and prosthetic design may affect its removal. This in vitro study evaluated the effects of four commercial luting cement systems and the presence of a vent hole on mass-based cement removal efficiency and residual cement area around implant abutments. Eighty zirconia restorations were assigned to eight groups (n = 10) according to cement type and venting condition. Cement removal efficiency was calculated from mass changes, and residual cement area on the buccal, lingual, mesial, and distal surfaces was quantified using ImageJ. HC3 robust factorial analysis showed significant effects of cement type and venting condition and a significant interaction (p = 0.017); after Bonferroni correction, the vented and non-vented conditions differed significantly only for GC FujiCEM II. Linear mixed-effects analysis showed significant effects of cement type, venting condition, and abutment surface, including significant interactions among these factors. Residual cement area was lower in the vented condition for all cements and was generally greater on proximal surfaces. Under the tested in vitro conditions, venting was associated with a higher mass-based index and a lower photographed residual cement area on abutment surfaces, with effects that depended on the cement system and abutment surface. These measurements do not establish improved clinical removal of subgingival excess cement.