Stress-Strain Distribution at Bone-Implant Interface Using 3D Finite Element Analysis

Abstract

Dental implant surgery is a rational alternative in most clinical operations. The complex biomechanical aspects of a tooth-implant system are
derived from the mobility between the osseointegrated implant and the tooth. The attachment of the abutment to the implant, the loosening of
the fixation screw, and its fracture may arise from a poor distribution of occlusal loads in the bone-implant interface. Analyzing force transfer
at the bone-implant interface determines the success or failure of an implant. Implant features causing overload can cause bone resorption or
fatigue failure of the implant whilst underload may lead to disuse atrophy and to subsequent bone loss. The success of a dental implant depends
on a variety of biomechanical factors including the design and position of the implant, implant-abutment connection, length and diameter of
implants, implant shape, surface roughness, bone quality and type, depth of insertion, arch configuration, the nature of bone implant interface,
and occlusal conditions. The Finite Element Method (FEM) has been applied to the prognosis of stress distribution in both the implant and
its interface with the adjacent bone for a comparison of several geometries and applied loads. The study of stresses using the FEM is a virtual
simulation of three-dimensional mathematical models in which all biological and material structures involved can be discretized, subdivided
into smaller structures. The aim of this study was to evaluate the performance of the bone-implant system during the implantation process and
the healing and maintenance phases of osseointegration for various implant thread geometries with different implant materials under fixed
forces using 3D Finite Element Analysis (FEA) technique in customized mandible.