ABSTRACT
This study aims to analyse, using a finite element analysis, the effects of Ti-base abutment height on the distribution and magnitude of transferred load and the resulting bone microstrain in the bone-implant system. A three-dimensional bone model of the mandibular premolar section was created with an implant placed in a juxta-osseous position. Three prosthetic models were designed: a 1 mm-high titanium-base (Ti-base) abutment with an 8 mm-high cemented monolithic zirconia crown was designed for model A, a 2 mm-high Ti-base abutment with a 7 mm-high crown for model B, and a 3 mm-high abutment with a 6 mm-high crown for model C. A static load of 150 N was applied to the central fossa at a six-degree angle with respect to the axial axis of the implant to evaluate the magnitude and distribution of load transfer and microstrain. The results showed a trend towards a direct linear association between the increase in the height of the Ti-base abutments and the increase in the transferred stress and the resulting microstrain to both the prosthetic elements and the bone/implant system. An increase in transferred stress and deformation of all elements of the system, within physiological ranges, was observed as the size of the Ti-base abutment increased.
ABSTRACT
The purpose of this study was to determine the prevalence of favorable anatomy for palatal emergence of an immediate flapless implant in the maxillary central incisor post-extraction site. Implants were virtually placed into maxillary central incisor sites using 3-dimensional implant planning software. Following a strict implant placement criterion to keep a safe distance to the buccal plate and other anatomical structures, sockets were assessed to determine their suitability for an implant emerging from the palatal aspect. From 321 patients included in this study, 62.3% presented a suitable socket anatomy for an immediate implant to be placed with an angulation suitable for a screw-retained crown. In 29% of the cases, the implants had to be labially tilted to maintain a minimum distance to the buccal plate; 8.7% were unsuitable for immediate implants due to anatomic limitations. The position and angulation for an immediate implant in the maxillary central incisor socket should be carefully assessed preoperatively with 3-dimensional images, as many sites will not be candidates for a palatal emergence and thus a screw-retained restoration.
