Use of Stress Analysis Methods to Evaluate the Biomechanics of Oral Rehabilitation With Implants

Abstract

Because the biomechanical behavior of dental implants is different from that of natural tooth, clinical problems may occur. The mechanism of stress distribution and load transfer to the implant/bone interface is a critical issue affecting the success rate of implants. Therefore, the aim of this study was to conduct a brief literature review of the available stress analysis methods to study implant-supported prosthesis loading and to discuss their contributions in the biomechanical evaluation of oral rehabilitation with implants. Several studies have used experimental, analytical, and computational models by means of finite element models (FEM), photoelasticity, strain gauges and associations of these methods to evaluate the biomechanical behavior of dental implants. The FEM has been used to evaluate new components, configurations, materials, and shapes of implants. The greatest advantage of the photoelastic method is the ability to visualize the stresses in complex structures, such as oral structures, and to observe the stress patterns in the whole model, allowing the researcher to localize and quantify the stress magnitude. Strain gauges can be used to assess in vivo and in vitro stress in prostheses, implants, and teeth. Some authors use the strain gauge technique with photoelasticity or FEM techniques. These methodologies can be widely applied in dentistry, mainly in the research field. Therefore, they can guide further research and clinical studies by predicting some disadvantages and streamlining clinical time.

Influence of Occlusal Loading Location on the Strain Developed Around Implants With Two Different Crest Module Designs (In Vitro Study)

“…These findings were in accordance with other studies, which stated that oblique load is associated with higher stresses (28,29). It is important to emphasize that oblique load application has been related to more realistic occlusal loading (30). Comparing different loads application (vertical and oblique), it was possible to see some peculiarities in the stress distribution in different parts of the single implant system.…”

Mechanical loading induced osteocyte apoptosis and connexin 43 expression in three‐dimensional cell culture and dental implant model

“…Several studies have examined the occlusal force transfer from functional dental implants to the peri‐implant bone using finite element analysis (FEA) . FEA is a useful tool for predicting the effects of stress on the implant and its surrounding bone.…”

“…Several studies have examined the occlusal force transfer from functional dental implants to the peri-implant bone using finite element analysis (FEA). 2,3 FEA is a useful tool for predicting the effects of stress on the implant and its surrounding bone. However, FEA cannot predict the effects of the occlusal force on the histological and biological changes in the bone surrounding the implant.…”

Stress Distribution in Single Dental Implant System

“…16,29 It is important to emphasize that oblique load application has been related to more realistic occlusal loading. 11 The abutment screw fracture is a frequent problem in the clinical field. 30 The increased stress concentration showed in the oblique load application can make the abutment screw more susceptible to loosening or fracture.…”

“…10 The finite element analysis (FEA) was the preference of several authors by enabling the quantitative and qualitative assessment of strain and stress distribution in various areas of the implant-supported prosthesis system. [10][11] Nevertheless, the reliability of the FEA was a concern to some authors who performed studies to evaluate the precision and to validate finite element (FE) models, seeking to make the method reliable to the biomechanical evaluation of oral implants. [12][13][14] It is known for long that for biologic or artificial materials (such as implants) interfacing biologic tissues, the success is limited because of complex structure of biologic materials or the interface.…”