This in vitro study investigated forces associated with the assembly of rigidly mounted Nobelpharma implants and a 'passively' fitting cast gold superstructure. The effects of modifying the fit by 10-110 micrometers were also investigated. Measurements were made using linear resistance strain gauges mounted longitudinally on the abutments. Tightening the gold screws produced high compressive strains. These were unevenly distributed, and inconsistent. Tensile strains were produced by gaps as small as 10 micrometers between the superstructure and an abutment while the ability of a torque of 10 N-cm in the gold screw to close the gaps was dependent on their dimensions and locations.