Interaction Phenomena between Dental Implants and Bone Tissue in Case of Misfit: A Pilot Study

Abstract

The biomechanical response of cortical and trabecular bone tissues represents a fundamental aspect for the interpretation of the functional response of dental implants. In the case of misfit, the interaction phenomena occurring within the surgical and the subsequent healing phases must be interpreted primarily in the light of the response of bone tissue. This is influenced by the specific loadings induced, characterized by intensity and variable trends. The pilot study reported, which intentionally refers to a simple case of a two-implants frame, is addressed to define the method to approach the biomechanical investigation of the problem and to attest the necessity to integrate clinical competences with biomechanical analysis for interpreting different aspects of osseointegration. The action induced in cortical and trabecular bone regions depending on the implant frame conformation, the surgical procedure adopted, the varying condition at the bone–implant interface and the evolutionary trend of healing are the principal aspects to be considered to evaluate the osseointegration process. The biomechanical reliability of the specific implant frame is investigated in terms of bone–implant interaction by means of numerical models. This approach can offer valid information and support clinical practice under the fundamental condition that bone biomechanical behavior is properly characterized and represented in the model, in spite of the complex formulation to be adopted.