Retention System and Splinting on Morse Taper Implants in the Posterior Maxilla by 3D Finite Element Analysis

Abstract The purpose of this study was to evaluate different retention systems (cement- or screw-retained) and crown designs (non-splinted or splinted) of fixed implant-supported restorations, in terms of stress distributions in implants/components and bone tissue, by 3-dimensional (3D) finite element analysis. Four 3D models were simulated with the InVesalius, Rhinoceros 3D, and SolidWorks programs. Models were made of type III bone from the posterior maxillary area. Models included three 4.0-mm-diameter Morse taper (MT) implants with different lengths, which supported metal-ceramic crowns. Models were processed by the Femap and NeiNastran programs, using an axial force of 400 N and oblique force of 200 N. Results were visualized as the von Mises stress and maximum principal stress (σmax). Under axial loading, there was no difference in the distribution of stress in implants/components between retention systems and splinted crowns; however, in oblique loading, cemented prostheses showed better stress distribution than screwed prostheses, whereas splinted crowns tended to reduce stress in the implant of the first molar. In the bone tissue cemented prostheses showed better stress distribution in bone tissue than screwed prostheses under axial and oblique loading. The splinted design only had an effect in the screwed prosthesis, with no influence in the cemented prosthesis. Cemented prostheses on MT implants showed more favorable stress distributions in implants/components and bone tissue. Splinting was favorable for stress distribution only for screwed prostheses under oblique loading.

Resumo O objetivo deste estudo foi avaliar diferentes sistemas de retenção (cimentada x parafusada) e configuração da coroas (unitárias x esplintadas) de próteses fixas implantossuportadas em relação a distribuição de tensões nos implantes/componentes e tecido ósseo pela análise de elementos finitos 3D. Quatro modelos 3D foram simulados com auxílio dos programas Invesalius, e Rhinoceros 3D, e SolidWorks. Os modelos foram confeccionados simulando bloco ósseo de região posterior da maxila (tipo ósseo III), com 3 implantes cone Morse com 4,0 mm de diâmetro e diferentes comprimentos, suportando prótese metalocerâmica de 3 elementos. Os modelos foram processados pelos programas FEMAP e NEiNastran sob força axial de 400 N e oblíqua de 200N. Os resultados foram plotados através de mapas de tensão de von Mises (vM) (implantes e componentes) e tensão máxima principal (TMP) (tecido ósseo). Sobre o carregamento axial, não foi observada diferenças entre os diferentes sistemas de retenção e tipo de prótese na distribuição das tensões nos implantes/componentes, porém, sobre o carregamento oblíquo as próteses cimentadas apresentaram melhor distribuição de tensões em comparação com as próteses parafusadas, enquanto que as próteses esplintadas apresentou uma tendência de redução das tensões no implante do primeiro molar. No tecido ósseo as próteses cimentadas apresentaram melhor distribuição das tensões em comparação com as próteses parafusadas, independente do carregamento. A esplintagem foi favorável somente para as próteses parafusadas, não havendo influência sobre as próteses cimentadas. As próteses cimentadas sobre implantes cone Morse apresentam melhor comportamento biomecânico nos implantes/componentes e tecido ósseo. A esplintagem foi efetiva somente nas próteses parafusadas sob carregamento oblíquo.

Retention System and Splinting on Morse Taper Implants in the Posterior Maxilla by 3D Finite Element Analysis.

The purpose of this study was to evaluate different retention systems (cement- or screw-retained) and crown designs (non-splinted or splinted) of fixed implant-supported restorations, in terms of stress distributions in implants/components and bone tissue, by 3-dimensional (3D) finite element analysis. Four 3D models were simulated with the InVesalius, Rhinoceros 3D, and SolidWorks programs. Models were made of type III bone from the posterior maxillary area. Models included three 4.0-mm-diameter Morse taper (MT) implants with different lengths, which supported metal-ceramic crowns. Models were processed by the Femap and NeiNastran programs, using an axial force of 400 N and oblique force of 200 N. Results were visualized as the von Mises stress and maximum principal stress (σmax). Under axial loading, there was no difference in the distribution of stress in implants/components between retention systems and splinted crowns; however, in oblique loading, cemented prostheses showed better stress distribution than screwed prostheses, whereas splinted crowns tended to reduce stress in the implant of the first molar. In the bone tissue cemented prostheses showed better stress distribution in bone tissue than screwed prostheses under axial and oblique loading. The splinted design only had an effect in the screwed prosthesis, with no influence in the cemented prosthesis. Cemented prostheses on MT implants showed more favorable stress distributions in implants/components and bone tissue. Splinting was favorable for stress distribution only for screwed prostheses under oblique loading.