Effect of mucosa thicknesses on stress distribution of implant-supported overdentures under unilateral loading: Photoelastic analysis.

INTRODUCTION: The aim of this study was to evaluate the effect of different heights of attachment and mucosa thicknesses on the stress distribution of two implant-retained mandibular overdenture designs under loading using the photoelastic stress analysis method. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Six photoelastic models of an edentulous mandibula were fabricated with two solitary implants that were placed in the canine regions. The attachment systems studied were ball and locator stud attachments. Both the ball and locator groups included three models that had different residual ridge heights so as to provide different mucosa thicknesses (1 mm-1 mm, 1 mm-2 mm, 1 mm-4 mm). A static vertical force of 135 N was applied unilaterally (each on the right then the left side) to the central fossa of the first molars. Models were positioned in the field of a circular polariscope to observe the distribution of isochromatic fringes around the implants and the interimplant areas under loading. The photoelastic stress fringes were monitored and recorded photographically. RESULTS: The ball attachment groups showed higher stress values than did the locator groups under loading. Both attachment systems produced the lowest stress values in stimulated 1 mm-1 mm mucosa thickness models. The models with 1 mm-2 mm mucosa thicknesses showed higher stress values than did other models for both attachment systems. The highest stress value observed around both attachment systems was the moderate level in all test models. CONCLUSION: In different height mucosa thicknesses, locator attachment models distributed the load to the other side of the implant and its surrounding tissue, whereas the ball attachment did not. Regardless of mucosal thickness and attachment type, the implant on the loading side was subjected to the highest stress concentration.

Stress distribution of different implant connections associated with multiple implant-supported prostheses.

In some clinical situations, the clinician may encounter previously installed implants that should be associated with other implants for a proper rehabilitation. The aim of this study was to evaluate the biomechanical behaviour of a multiple prosthesis joined by different implant connections using photoelasticity. Photoelastic models with a screwed fixed prosthesis supported by implants with different connection systems (Morse taper, external hexagon, internal hexagon, and Flexcone), and different combinations among them, were fabricated. Each assembly was placed in a circular polariscope, and axial and oblique (45°) loads of 100 N were applied on the occlusal surface of the crowns. The fringe patterns were photographed and the analysis was performed by counting the number of high-intensity fringes and also according to the stress distribution region where they appeared. Among implants of the same connection, the external connections obtained a greater number of high intensity fringes when compared to the internal connections. From the biomechanical point of view, the association between different types of connections obtained positive results.

Stress distribution in bone simulation model with pre-angled implants.

The aim of this study was evaluate the biomechanical behaviour of prostheses screwed into conventional (0° angulation) and pre-angled experimental (8, 12 and 20°) external hexagon implants (13 × 4 mm) by photoelastic analysis. Eight casts were made in photoelastic resin. Casts were divided into groups of single crowns or three combined elements. Each unit was positioned in a circular polariscope. By using a universal testing machine, 100 N loads were applied in the axial and oblique (45°) directions to fixed points on the occlusal surfaces of the crowns. Generated stresses were recorded photographically and analysed qualitatively in a graphics program. In single-element prostheses, the number of high-stress fringes increased with increasing implant angle. However, in three-element prostheses, there was no difference in the stress distribution with implant angle, except for the 12° implant that had a higher degree of stress. For the other groups pre-angulation of the implant increases the concentration and intensity of stresses for single prosthesis and has similar stress distribution in three-element fixed prostheses.

Stress on external hexagon and Morse taper implants submitted to immediate loading.

BACKGROUND/AIMS: This study aimed to evaluate the stress distribution around external hexagon (EH) and Morse taper (MT) implants with different prosthetic systems of immediate loading (distal bar (DB), casting technique (CT), and laser welding (LW)) by using photoelastic method. METHODS: Three infrastructures were manufactured on a model simulating an edentulous lower jaw. All models were composed by five implants (4.1 mm × 13.0 mm) simulating a conventional lower protocol. The samples were divided into six groups. G1: EH implants with DB and acrylic resin; G2: EH implants with titanium infrastructure CT; G3: EH implants with titanium infrastructure attached using LW; G4: MT implants with DB and acrylic resin; G5: MT implants with titanium infrastructure CT; G6: MT implants with titanium infrastructure attached using LW. After the infrastructures construction, the photoelastic models were manufactured and a loading of 4.9 N was applied in the cantilever. Five pre-determined points were analyzed by Fringes software. RESULTS: Data showed significant differences between the connection types (p < 0.0001), and there was no significant difference among the techniques used for infrastructure. CONCLUSION: The reduction of the stress levels was more influenced by MT connection (except for CT). Different bar types submitted to immediate loading not influenced stress concentration.

Photoelastic Analysis of Two Maxillary Protocols Using Zygomatic Implants / Análisis Fotoelástico de Dos Protocolos Maxilares con Uso de Implantes Cigomáticos

The aim of this study was to analyse the in vitro the stress distribution in craniofacial structures around zygomatic implants. Synthetic polyurethane skulls replicas were used as templates for installation of standard and zygomatic implants performing two techniques using rehabilitation with using one zygomatic implant in the right and left side in combination with 2 and 4 standard implants in the anterior maxilla (group 1 and group 2). The skull replicas of photoelastic resin were subjected to photoelastic analysis after linear loading using an Instron 4411 servohydraulic mechanical testing, with a 2 mm displacement. The stress distribution showed the fringes with concentration in the body and the frontal process of zygomatic bone. In the case of model 1, higher concentrations of stress were found around the standard and zygomatic implants and surrounding bone. Under this condition, the rehabilitation with 2 zygomatics implants and 4 standard implants (group 2) provided the most favorable behavior.

El objetivo de este estudio fue analizar el estrés in vitro y la distribución de tensiones en la estructura craneofacial a partir de los implantes cigomaticos. Réplicas de cráneo de poliuretano fueron usados como modelos para la instalación de implantes cigomáticos estándar utilizando dos modelos de distribución de implantes. Estos modelos fueron usados como modelos utilizando 1 implante en cada lado con dos o cuatro implantes convencionales en la región anterior maxilar (grupo 1 y grupo 2); posteriormente, se realizó una carga compresiva unilateral en la máquina Instrom 4411 utilizando 2 mm de desplazamiento máximo. La distribución de estrés se concentró principalmente en la región de cuerpo de hueso cigomático y en la región frontal del proceso cigomático; el modelo 1, con dos implantes convencionales, mostró mayor distribución de estrés en la región cigomática al comparase con el grupo 2; bajo estas condiciones, se concluye que la distribución con cuatro implantes convencionales entrega mejores condiciones de distribución de tensiones.

Distribuição das tensões promovidas por implantes cone morse inseridos em diferentes níveis ósseos: análise fotoelástica e método dos elementos finitos / Stress distribution promoted by morse taper connection implants inserted in different bone levels: photoelastic analysis and finite element method

Ainda não existe um consenso sobre o nível em que os implantes cone Morse devem ser inseridos em relação à crista ósse alveolar. A literatura mostra diversas pesquisas em animais e laboratoriais com implantes posicionados acima, abaixo ou ao nível da crista. Contudo, diferentes metodologias e técnicas dificultam a definição do melhor nível de localização. O presente trabalho optou por analisar qualitativa e quantitativamente por meio da fotoelasticidade e do método dos elementos finitos (MEF), implantes em diferentes níveis de inserção sob carga compressiva estática, visando elucidar esse tema. Quatro níveis foram simulados: 1 mm acima da crista (AC); ao nível da crista (AN); 1 mm abaixo da crista sem aposição óssea sobre a plataforma (AB-S); e 1 mm abaixo da crista com aposição óssea sobre a plataforma (AB-C). Os resultados fotoelásticos demonstraram maiores valores de ordem de franja na região apical e menores na região cervical, em todos os modelos, independente do tipo de carga. No MEF verificou-se que o aprofundamento do implante da posição AC para AB-S reduziu progressivamente as tensões de von Mises na região cortical independente do tipo de carga, respectivamente, 0,5595 - 0,3842 Mpa nas cargas cêntricas e 1,5261 - 0,9787 MPa nas excêntricas. Concluiu-se que houve redução na concentração de tensões posicionado-se o implante abaixo do crista óssea e uma tendência de aumento de tensão nas amostras AB-C, provavelmente devido à tração do osso existente sobre a plataforma do implante.

There is still no consensus on the level that the Morse taper implants should be inserted in relation to the alveolar crestal bone. The literature shows several studies in animals and laboratory implant positioned above, at level or subcrestal. However, different methodologies and techniques make it difficult to define the best level of the implant. This study analyzes qualitatively and quantitatively by using photoelastic analysis and the finite element method (FEM), implants at different levels under static compressive load, to elucidate this issue. Four levels were simulated: 1 mm above the crest (AC); the crest level (AN); 1 mm below the crest free bone apposition on the platform (AB-S); and 1 mm below the crest with bone apposition on the platform (ABC). Photoelastic results demonstrated higher fringe order of values in the apical region and lower in the cervical region, in all models, regardless of the loading type. In MEF found that the deepening of the implant position from AC to AB-S progressively reduced von Mises equivalent stresses in cortical region independent of the load type, respectively, 0.5595 - 0.3842 MPa in centric loads and 1.5261 - 0.9787 MPa in eccentric loads. It was concluded that there was a reduction in stress concentration on the implant positioned below the alveolar crest and a tendency of an increase in tension in the AB-C samples, probably due to traction on the existing bone implant platform.