Effect of proximal contact strength on the three-dimensional displacements of implant-supported cantilever fixed partial dentures under axial loading.

OBJECTIVE: This study investigated the effect of proximal contact strength on the three-dimensional displacements of cantilever fixed partial denture (CFPD) under vertically concentrated loading with digital laser speckle (DLS) technique. METHODS: Fresh mandible of beagle dog was used to establish the implant-supported CFPD for specimen. DLS technique was employed for measuring the three-dimensional displacement of the prosthesis under vertically concentrated loading ranging from 200 to 3000 g. The effect of the contact tightness on the displacement of CFPD was investigated by means of changing the contact tightness. RESULTS: When an axial concentrated loading was exerted on the pontic of the implant-supported CFPD, the displacement of the CFPD was the greatest. The displacement of the prosthesis decreased with the increase of contact strength. When the contact strength was 0, 0.95, and 3.25 N, the displacement of the buccolingual direction was smaller than that of the mesiodistal direction but greater than that of the occlusogingival direction. When the force on the contact area was 6.50 N, the mesiodistal displacement of the prosthesis was the biggest while the buccolingual displacement was the smallest. CONCLUSIONS: The implant-supported CFPD is an effective therapy for fully or partially edentulous patients. The restoration of the contact area and the selection of the appropriate contact strength can reduce the displacement of the CFPD, and get a better stress distribution. The most appropriate force value is 3.25 N in this study.