Stress distribution in tooth supported removable partial denture fabricated using two different materials: A 3-dimensional finite element analysis

Abstract

A suitable material and design plays an important role in the fabrication of a removable prosthesis. The distribution of forces plays a significant role in preservation of the remaining structures especially the abutment teeth. In this study 2 models were prepared using, computed tomography (CT Scan) and 3-Dimensional construction software; of Kennedy’s Class 3 partially edentulous situation. The models were classified based on the material used in fabrication of the prosthesis as; Model 1- Cobalt Chromium denture; Model 2-Thermoplastic Nylon dentures. The meshing of the models was done using hyper mesh 13 and, the contact and constraint conditions were defined for the analysis model. The material properties were incorporated and the stress analysis was done by applying an unidirectional force of 40 N per tooth on three posterior teeth. The analysis was done using ANSYS version15 and the results were analyzed. Model 1 (cobalt chromium) showed a maximum displacement of 0.00718 mm and maximum stress of 19.87 MPa, Model 2 (Thermoplastic nylon) showed the maximum displacement of 0.0094 mm and maximum stress was 29.97 MPa. Within the limitations of this study the stress evaluation on different prosthetic materials revealed that the areas of maximum stress were seen on the palatal slopes of the maxillary residual ridge and on the anterior abutment tooth (canine) in both models. However, the Cobalt-Chromium model showed significantly lesser stress as compared to the Thermoplastic nylon model.