Comparison of Stresses in Monoblock Tilted Implants and Conventional Angled Multiunit Abutment-implant Connection Systems in the All-on-four Procedure

Abstract

Background: The All-on-four dental implant method is an implantology method designed to provide a comfortable prosthetic treatment option by avoiding advanced surgical procedures. This research aims to compare and evaluate the stress and tension values in conventional angled multiunit abutment-implant connection systems and monoblock dental implants used in the all-on-four procedure with finite element analysis.Methods: Two master models were created by placing four implants connected to multiunit abutments (group A) in the interforaminal region of a completely edentulous mandible and four monoblock implants (group B) in the same region of another completely edentulous mandible. Group A implants were classified according to their diameter as follows: 3.5 mm (M1A), 4.0 mm (M2A), and 4.5 mm (M3A). Similarly, group B implants were classified as M1B, M2B, and M3B. In the six models rehabilitated with acrylic fixed prostheses, a 100 N force was applied to the anterior implant region, and a 250 N force was applied to the posterior cantilever in both axial and 30° oblique directions. Von Mises stresses were analyzed in the bone and implant regions of all models.Results: M1A and M1B, M2A and M2B, and M3A and M3B were compared with each other under axial and oblique forces. The maximum Von Mises stresses in the bone around implants and the prosthesis screws, and the maximum and minimum principal stresses in the cortical and trabecular bone in group A models were significantly higher than those in group B models.Conclusions: This study shows that the use of monoblock implants without abutment-implant connections can prevent bacterial accumulation in micro-gaps, but the biomechanical properties of this implant system should be improved.