Finite element analysis of the angle range in trans-inferior alveolar nerve implantation at the mandibular second molar.

BACKGROUND: Trans- inferior alveolar nerve (IAN) implantation technique was wildly used while the potential appropriate angle range in which the residual alveolar bone can bear the stress without absorption are currently unclear. This study aimed to evaluate the stress distribution pattern of the interface between bone and implant by finite element analysis (FEA) to determine the appropriate range of the implant tilt angle. METHODS: Cone beam computed tomography (CBCT) images of 120 patients with missing mandibular second molars and vertical bone height < 9 mm in the edentulous area were selected. The distances from the mandibular nerve canal to the buccal cortex, the lingual cortex and the alveolar ridge crest were measured by using a combination of software. The angular ranges of the buccal-lingual inclination of simulated trans-IAN implants were measured and three-dimensional finite element models were constructed in the mandibular second molar area according to the differences of the inclination angles. A vertical load (200N) was then applied to analyze the biomechanical conditions of the implant-bone interface during median occlusion. RESULTS: The distance at the second molar from the nerve canal to the buccal cortex, lingual cortex and alveolar crest were 6.861 ± 1.194 mm, 2.843 ± 0.933 mm and 7.944 ± 0.77 mm. Trans-IAN implantation was feasible in 73.33% of patients. The minimum angle and maximum angles of the buccal-lingual inclination of the simulated implant were 19.135 ± 6.721° and 39.282 ± 6.581°. When a vertical static load of 200N was applied, the tensile stress in cortical bone gradually increased with the increase of the implant tilt angle. When the inclination angle reached 30°, the tensile stress (105.9 MPa) exceeded the yield strength (104 MPa) of cortical bone. Compared with the conventional implants, the stress peak value of the vertical ultra-short implant in cortical bone was greater than the stress peak value of the conventional implants at 10°(79.81 MPa) and 20°(82.83 MPa) and was smaller than the stress of the implant at 30°(105.9 MPa) and 40°(107.8 MPa). Therefore, when the bone mass allows, conventional-length implants should be selected whenever possible, and an operative range of the trans-IAN implantation in the mandibular second molar could be retained with an inclination angle of < 30°. CONCLUSIONS: The mandibular nerve canal at the mandibular second molar was obviously biased to the lingual side, which ensured sufficient bone mass at the buccal side. In most patients with severe mandibular atrophy, it was possible to maintain a safe distance from the nerve canal with conventional-length implants via the trans-IAN implantation technique.

Radiological measurement and analysis of trans-inferior alveolar nerve implantation / 口腔医学

Objective@#To measure the position of the mandibular nerve canal at the mandibular second molar by CBCT image data, analyze the theoretical implantation range of trans-alveolar implantation, and provide a theoretical solution to insufficiency of posterior mandibular bone volume in clinical practice. @*Methods@#Eighty patients with missing mandibular second molars whose vertical bone height of the edentulous area was less than 9 mm were selected for CBCT image measurement, and the distances from the mandibular nerve canal to the buccal cortex, lingual cortex, and alveolar crest were measured to simulate trans-inferior alveolar nerve implantation. The angular range of the buccolingual inclination of the implant was also measured.@*Results@#The distances from the mandibular nerve canal to the buccal cortex, lingual cortex and alveolar crest at the mandibular second molar were(6.913±1.222)mm, (2.859±0.891)mm and (7.991±0.783)mm, respectively. The distance from the mandibular nerve canal to the buccal cortex was significantly greater than that to the lingual cortex. And, 75% of the patients could be implanted by the inferior alveolar nerve. The minimum angle of buccolingual inclination of the simulated implant was 19.360°±7.086°, and the maximum angle was 39.462°±6.924°. @*Conclusion@#The mandibular nerve canal at the mandibular second molar is inclined toward the lingual side, which ensures sufficient buccal bone volume. Most patients with severe mandibular atrophy can still adopt implants of conventional length by trans-inferior alveolar nerve implantation to keep a safe distance from the nerve canal.