Journal of Oral Implantology September 2012 - (Page 491)

RESEARCH Effects of Different Abutment Connection Designs on the Stress Distribution Around Five Different Implants: A 3Dimensional Finite Element Analysis Ali Balik, DDS, PhD* Meltem Ozdemir Karatas, DDS, PhD Haluk Keskin, Prof The stability of the bone-implant interface is required for the long-term favorable clinical outcome of implantsupported prosthetic rehabilitation. The implant failures that occur after the functional loading are mainly related to biomechanical factors. Micro movements and vibrations due to occlusal forces can lead to mechanical complications such as loosening of the screw and fractures of the abutment or implants. The aim of this study was to investigate the strain distributions in the connection areas of different implant-abutment connection systems under similar loading conditions. Five different implant-abutment connection designs from 5 different manufacturers were evaluated in this study. The investigation was performed with software using the finite element method. The geometrical modeling of the implant systems was done with CATIA virtual design software. The MSC NASTRAN solver and PATRAN postprocessing program were used to perform the linear static solution. According to the analysis, the implant-abutment connection system with external hexagonal connection showed the highest strain values, and the internal hexagonal implant-abutment connection system showed the lowest strain values. Conical þ internal hexagonal and screw-in implant abutment connection interface is more successful than other systems in cases with increased vertical dimension, particularly in the posterior region. Key Words: implant, abutment connection, finite element, strain distribution, prosthetics INTRODUCTION itanium dental implants are widely used because of the advantages offered by their mechanical properties and because of their excellent anchorage in the jawbones.1 The reliability and stability of the implant-abutment connection design and the surface properties of the fixture are crucial factors in maintaining the long-term functioning of the implant-bone interface.2 The basic knowledge concerning possible mechanical failures that may occur following prosthetic rehabilitation is an Faculty of Dentistry, Istanbul University, Istanbul, Turkey. * Corresponding author, e-mail: dralabalik@hotmail.com DOI: 10.1563/AAID-JOI-D-10-00127 T important part of treatment planning as it provides predictable success rates. Animal experiments and clinical studies have shown that implant failures in the absence of plaque-related gingivitis might be associated with the disequilibrium of the forces acting on implants.3–5 These adverse occlusal forces resulting from the functional components of mastication and nonfunctional occlusal contacts may result in mechanical malfunctions in the implant systems, particularly at the level of implant-abutment connection.6 There are various biomechanical techniques to evaluate the stress distribution of occlusal forces in bone around dental implants. The finite element method (FEM) is a mathematical model analysis that Journal of Oral Implantology 491

Table of Contents for the Digital Edition of Journal of Oral Implantology September 2012

American Academy of Implant Dentistry Foundation Supports Basic and Clinical Research
Evaluation of 3- to 8-Year Treatment Outcomes and Success Rates With 6 Implant Brands in Partially Edentulous Patients
Histometric Analysis of Bone Repair in Bone-Implant Interface Using a Polylactic/ Polyglycolic Acid Copolymer Associated With Implants in Rabbit Tibia
Fold-Over Flap Technique for Developing the Facial Gingival Contour: A Case Report
Rehabilitation of the Atrophic Posterior Maxilla With Pterygoid Implants: A Review
Immediate Loading of Maxillary and Mandibular Implant-Supported Fixed Complete Dentures: A 1- to 10-Year Retrospective Study
Immediate Loading of Single Post-Extractive Implants in the Anterior Maxilla: 12-Month Results From a Multicenter Clinical Study
Immediate Implants After Enucleation of an Odontogenic Keratocyst: An Early Return to Function
Effects of Different Abutment Connection Designs on the Stress Distribution Around Five Different Implants: A 3-Dimensional Finite Element Analysis
Implant-Prosthetic Rehabilitation of a Patient with Nonsyndromic Oligodontia: A Clinical Report
Planning for Immediate Loading of Implant-Supported Prostheses: Literature Review
Development of a Rat Model of Bisphosphonate-Related Osteonecrosis of the Jaw (BRONJ)
Anorganic Bovine-Derived Hydroxyapatite vs β-Tricalcium Phosphate in Sinus Augmentation: A Comparative Histomorphometric Study
Peripheral Giant Cell Granuloma Associated With Dental Implants: Clinical Case and Literature Review
Bilateral Vertical Ridge Augmentation With Block Grafts and Guided Bone Regeneration in the Posterior Mandible: A Case Report
Cell Culture–Based Tissue Engineering as an Alternative to Bone Grafts in Implant Dentistry: A Literature Review

Journal of Oral Implantology September 2012