Novel bendable abutments as a solution to correct unfavorable implant inclination. A clinical report.

OBJECTIVE: This clinical case report describes a novel bendable abutment as a prosthetic solution for implants presenting with an unfavorable inclination. CLINICAL CONSIDERATIONS: A metal-ceramic screw-retained single crown was made on this novel bendable abutment in a patient presenting with a pronounced buccal inclination of an implant. A plastic reference guide is used to define the correct inclination and then this inclination is transferred to the abutment using a specific bending device at the same appointment. CONCLUSIONS: Bendable abutments can be used as a solution to correct unfavorable implant inclinations. This abutment can be customized at the same appointment considering a case-specific inclination rather than conventional pre-angled abutments. CLINICAL SIGNIFICANCE: Bendable abutments can be customized according to each case specificities while conventional pre-angled abutments may not be adequate for all patients. Also, the abutment customization could be easily done by dentists at their own practices using a specific bending device with hand pressure only, saving time, and the need to order pre-angled abutments or having it in stock.

Effect of supporting implants inclination on stability of fixed partial denture: A finite element study.

The aim of this finite element study was to analyze effect of supporting implants inclination on stress distribution in the bone for a four-unit fixed partial denture. A three-dimensional finite element model of mandibular molar section of the bone to receive implants was constructed. Three implant-supported fixed partial dentures, with null, moderate and wide tilting, of 0°, 15° and 30° implant inclinations, respectively, were modeled. A mechanical load of 10 MPa was applied in coronal-apical direction on bridge framework at the regions of crowns positions. The finite element analysis was performed, and von Mises stress levels were calculated. Peak stress concentration in the cortical bone was observed mostly around the implant necks, in inter-implants line. There was favorable stress distribution during loading, with peak stress being 90.04 MPa for 0°, which decreased to 54.33 MPa for 15° and 46.36 MPa for 30° inclination. The supporting implants inclination in fixed partial denture plays an important role in stress distribution and may be helpful in preventing bone loss and implant failure. This phenomenon is likely to be more pronounced in bones of poor quality. Within the limitation of this study, it seems that the inclination of implants in fixed partial denture has a favorable effect on stress distribution pattern values around the supporting implants.

Peri-implant strain around mesially inclined two-implant-retained mandibular overdentures with Locator attachments.

This study aimed to evaluate the peri-implant strain around mesially inclined implants used to retain mandibular overdentures with Locator resilient attachments. Four mandibular edentulous acrylic resin models received two implants in the canine areas with 0°, 5°, 10°, and 20° mesial inclinations. Overdentures were connected to the implants using Locator attachments. Pink nylon inserts (light retention) were used for all implant inclinations, and red inserts were used for 20° inclination (20°red). Four strain gages were bonded on the mesial (M), distal (D), buccal (B), and lingual (L) surfaces of each implant. Peri-implant strains were measured during bilateral and unilateral loading. The 20° inclination showed the highest strain, followed by 10° and 5°, and both 0° and 20°red presented with the lowest strain. Site D was associated with the highest strain, followed by M, B, and L, which showed the lowest strain values. Unilateral loading and the loading side presented with significantly higher strain values than bilateral loading and the nonloading side, respectively. Hence, in this study, strains around the two-implant-retained overdentures with Locator attachments increased with increases in mesial implant angulation, except when red male inserts were used.

Simulated bone remodeling around tilted dental implants in the anterior maxilla.

Dental implants have to be placed with the long axis in different angulations due to the change in bone morphology. The objective of this study was to investigate the different bone remodeling response induced by the tilted dental implants and to assess whether it could lead to bone loss and implant failure. In this study, bone remodeling due to palato-labially inclined dental implants placed in the anterior maxillary incisor region was simulated. CT-based finite element models of a maxillary bone with dental implants were created herein. Five dental implants were placed at [Formula: see text], [Formula: see text], [Formula: see text], [Formula: see text] and [Formula: see text], respectively. The remodeling progression was recorded and compared. Model [Formula: see text] (palatal side) shows the highest bone density values, but the inclined implant at [Formula: see text] (labial side) leads to significant bone loss. From a biomechanical perspective, it is speculated that a palatally inclined implant is more likely to enhance the bone density in the maxillary anterior region, but labial inclination of implant could jeopardize its stability.

Overdenture retaining bar stress distribution: a finite-element analysis.

OBJECTIVE: Evaluate the stress distribution on the peri-implant bone tissue and prosthetic components of bar-clip retaining systems for overdentures presenting different implant inclinations, vertical misfit and framework material. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Three-dimensional models of a jaw and an overdenture retained by two implants and a bar-clip attachment were modeled using specific software (SolidWorks 2010). The studied variables were: latero-lateral inclination of one implant (-10°, -5°, 0°, +5°, +10°); vertical misfit on the other implant (50, 100, 200 µm); and framework material (Au type IV, Ag-Pd, Ti cp, Co-Cr). Solid models were imported into mechanical simulation software (ANSYS Workbench 11). All nodes on the bone's external surface were constrained and a displacement was applied to simulate the settling of the framework on the ill-fitted component. Von Mises stress for the prosthetic components and maximum principal stress to the bone tissue were evaluated. RESULTS: The +10° inclination presented the worst biomechanical behavior, promoting the highest stress values on the bar framework and peri-implant bone tissue. The -5° group presented the lowest stress values on the prosthetic components and the lowest stress value on peri-implant bone tissue was observed in -10°. Increased vertical misfit caused an increase on the stress values in all evaluated structures. Stiffer framework materials caused a considerable stress increase in the framework itself, prosthetic screw of the fitted component and peri-implant bone tissue. CONCLUSIONS: Inclination of one implant associated with vertical misfit caused a relevant effect on the stress distribution in bar-clip retained overdentures. Different framework materials promoted increased levels of stress in all the evaluated structures.