Finite element analysis of the stresses around endosseous implants in various reconstructed mandibular models

Abstract

Purpose: To calculate the location and intensity of the maximum stresses occurring around implants in the reconstructed mandible.

Material and methods: Human preserved mandibles and fibulae were used to design 3-D mandibular models on a Desktop Computer. Various 3-D simulation models representing mandibles were made. Implants (fixtures) and superstructures were then embedded in each model and occlusal pressure was applied to the cantilever portion of the superstructure. Von Mises stress, the maximum and minimum principal stress on each model were calculated using finite element structural analysis software. Finally, evaluation of the stresses around each fixture hole was performed.

Results: It appeared that for each fixture hole, the direction and the magnitude of the stresses were influenced by complex factors such as the thickness of the cortical bone where the fixtures were embedded, the degree of vertical displacement under load, and the relationship between adjacent fixtures.

Conclusion: Location and intensity of the stresses occurring around fixtures differs significantly between various types of mandibular reconstruction. Published by Elsevier Science Ltd.