Passivity Plus Technology

Premium Grade 5 Titanium (Ti-6AL-4V-ELI). This is the same biocompatible alloy used in medical implants.

Four pieces in a compact, integrated design:

1. Base body: connects to multi-unit abutment; contains 5° internal taper
2. Pivotable adjustable cap: receives prosthesis cement; self-adjusts, then locks when torqued
3. Screw: one piece; 5° body taper; smooth surface; creates cold weld
4. Washer: flexible element around screw head; key patent innovation

Each Passivity Plus™ has a pivotable self-adjusting cap that allows micro-adjustment during screw tightening. The adjustment range is less than 2 degrees per base, operating at the micron scale.

When screws are partially engaged (not fully torqued), the caps can pivot to compensate for minor misfits between the prosthesis and implant positions. Once seated correctly, final torque locks the adjusted position.

The Passivity Plus™ features a conical screw design that creates a cold-welding effect:

• Taper angle: 5 degrees per side (10 degrees total)
• Mechanism: conical screw engages matching internal taper under torque
• Result: friction-locked connection that reduces screw loosening

This occurs between the screw body and the internal base walls rather than at the implant–abutment interface.

Cold welding refers to the mechanical joining of two precisely matched conical titanium surfaces (5° per side) pressed together under proper torque, creating an extremely tight, friction-locked connection.

This metal-to-metal engagement distributes load throughout the structure and helps prevent micromovement that can lead to screw loosening.

It is not a permanent metallurgical bond. The screw releases normally when loosened, allowing the self-adjusting mechanism to reset and be engaged again.

The Passivity Plus™ cold welding is internal to the prosthetic component, allowing the self-adjusting mechanism to remain functional until final torque.

The washer around the screw head is a key part of the mechanism.

When any screw is tightened, thread geometry naturally tends to centre components. Without intervention, these centring forces can reduce the compensating adjustment achieved by the pivotable cap.

The flexible washer allows the screw head to remain slightly off-centre even when fully torqued. This helps maintain the adjusted position without transferring stress.

Visual confirmation: after full torque, the screw head may appear slightly tilted rather than perfectly centred. This is normal and can indicate that the washer is functioning correctly.

The washer design supports passive fit:

1. During seating: the pivotable cap adjusts to compensate for minor misfits
2. During torque: the washer absorbs centring forces from screw threads and cold welding
3. After torque: the adjusted position is locked without transferring stress to surrounding components

Result: reduced stress on the body and surrounding structures, while the prosthesis maintains its compensated position.

• New full arch implant prostheses on multi-unit abutments
• Cases where minor passive fit discrepancies are anticipated
• Replacement of existing prostheses with minor fit issues
• Cases using titanium bar substructures
• Upgrades from conventional Ti-base systems
• Switching from direct-to-multi-unit abutment workflows

Passivity Plus™ compensates for minor misfits, not major errors.

Do not use when:

• Scan quality is poor: visible shadows, artefacts, overlapping scan bodies, and significant data gaps
• Prosthesis fit is grossly off: excessive rocking, wobble, or misfit beyond minor range
• Model accuracy is significantly compromised: major impression errors or gross implant position discrepancies

In many cases, yes. Passivity Plus™ compensates for minor misfits that would otherwise require verification and correction. However, it is not a substitute for correcting major impression or model errors.

Verification jigs remain valuable for confirming implant positions in complex cases or when scan quality is questionable.

Yes. Passivity Plus™ can be used to manage minor discrepancies without needing to start over, which may help salvage cases that might otherwise require a complete remake.

No. Existing Ti-base copings have a different geometry. To use Passivity Plus™, capture new records and the case will be fabricated with Passivity Plus™ components.

This is not a simple component swap. In some cases, an existing prosthesis may be used as a reference to fabricate a new prosthesis.

Yes, provided the framework allows for proper seating and torque.

1. Initial engagement: hand-start each screw with 2–3 turns, just enough to engage threads
2. Do not fully torque yet: leave all screws partially engaged to allow free movement
3. Allow self-adjustment: give the pivotable caps time to find their compensated positions
4. Progressive tightening: use a cross-pattern to gradually tighten all screws
5. Final torque: torque each screw to 25 N·cm in an alternating pattern to activate cold weld

Do not torque individual screws to 25 N·cm before all screws are partially engaged. The self-adjusting mechanism needs freedom to compensate before it is locked.

No. The micro-movements are too small to affect occlusion. Each base moves only microns (less than 2 degrees). Even with multiple bases making micro-adjustments, the cumulative effect does not raise the prosthesis.

Educational animations may show exaggerated movement for clarity. Clinical reality involves barely perceptible adjustments.

Official guidance: the screw is indicated for single-use per standard regulatory requirements.

Practical considerations: the screw design can withstand multiple uses (5–10 times) without structural damage. Inspect screws before any reuse.

• Look for bending, scratches, thread damage, or visible wear
• When in doubt, use a new screw

No. Screw removal is straightforward:

• Use a standard screwdriver to loosen
• Initial resistance may be higher than a conventional screw as the cold weld releases
• Once past the cold weld zone, the screw backs out easily

The cold welding is a mechanical friction lock, not a permanent bond. It releases predictably when loosened.

Yes. Passivity Plus™ offers universal digital compatibility.

Passivity Plus™ works with virtually any input method for full arch case records:

Record capture (any method) → software → Exocad → design prosthesis → bond Passivity Plus™ components

Supported input methods:

• Full arch scan body systems
• Photogrammetry output
• Grammetry output
• Stone models
• Fit verification jigs

Follow standard CAD software (Exocad) framework design rules. Passivity Plus™ does not require special thickness considerations beyond normal prosthetic design parameters.

The adjustable cap shell is designed to integrate with standard zirconia framework thickness protocols.

Passivity Plus™ is compatible with most major multi-unit abutment systems. Where a system is unclear or not verified, compatibility should be confirmed before use.

Passivity Plus™ is FDA 510(k) cleared as a Class II dental prosthetic component.

No significant risks are anticipated based on the product design:

• The adjustable interface involves micro-scale movements (microns, <2°)
• Components press tightly together when torqued, minimising any potential gap
• All connection surfaces are polished titanium
• The assembly seats against tissue with compression

Formal testing may be used to document safety further. Clinical cases to date have not indicated contamination issues.

No special protocols are required. Treat Passivity Plus™ restorations the same as conventional implant-supported prostheses:

• Routine cleaning: standard prosthesis hygiene protocols
• Professional maintenance: per the clinician’s standard recall schedule
• Between-component cleaning: not required
• Special instruments needed: none

The tight-fitting, polished titanium interface does not require additional cleaning procedures.