Single implant retained overdentures: Evaluation of effect of implant length and diameter on stress distribution by finite element analysis.

Abstract

Single implant retained mandibular overdenture treatment has been shown to be a minimally invasive, satisfactory, and cost-effective option for edentulous individuals. However, the impact of implant diameter and length on stress distribution at the implant, bone, and other components in this treatment approach remains unclear. The purpose of this 3D finite element analysis was to evaluate the effect of implant length and diameter on equivalent von Mises stress and strain distribution in single implant retained overdentures at bone, implant, and prosthetic components. Nine models were constructed according to implant lengths (L) (8, 10, 12mm) and diameters (D) (3.3, 4.1, 4.8mm). The implants were positioned axially, in the midline of the mandible. A 3D model of the edentulous mandible was created from a computed tomography image. A single implant, abutment with insert PEEK and a housing, acrylic denture, and Co-Cr framework were modeled separately. In the ANSYS software program, occlusal loads were applied as 150 N, bilaterally vertical direction, or unilaterally oblique direction to the first molar. Minimum principal stress values were evaluated for bone and equivalent von Mises stress and strain values were evaluated for implant and prosthetic components. Von Mises stress values for vertical load increased at implant, housing, and insert PEEK for all groups when the length of the implant increased. When oblique load was applied, 3.3mm diameter implant groups showed maximum von Mises stress values for implants, cortical bone, cancellous bone, and housing among all groups. A minimum stress level for implant was found in D4.1/L8 group. Regarding the insert PEEK, strain values were found to be higher as the diameter of the implant increased both for vertical and oblique loads. Cortical bone showed higher minimum principal stress values as compared to cancellous bone under both loading conditions. The 3.3mm diameter implant groups exhibited the highest von Mises stress and strain values for both loading conditions at the implant. The diameter of the implant had a greater impact on stress and strain levels at the implant site compared to length. For vertical loading, stress value increased at implant, housing, and PEEK when the length of the implant increased.