title: Minimizing biomechanical overload in implant prostheses: a computerized aid to design.
abstract: Implant-supported prostheses must be able to withstand the load capabilities of individual patients to overload them. The gold alloy screw in the Brånemark system is by intention the weakest component. Therefore, if cantilever lengths can be designed so that occlusal forces distributed to individual fixtures are limited to the gold screws' ability to accept them, breakage-free performance may be assured. Models, such as that of Skalak, are capable of developing the required analytical processes to provide the information necessary to achieve this design. Unfortunately, the overt mathematical complexity of the Skalak model has militated against its routine use in the operatory. Its computational aspects are, however, eminently suited to computerization and indeed provide the basis for the computer program that is described in this article. This program is simple to apply clinically and, when used in conjunction with available load parameters of gold screw performance, can provide the clinician with a routine and scientific basis for rational implant prosthesis design.
authors: Department of Prosthodontics, Medical University of Southern Africa, Faculty of Dentistry, Medunsa.
authors: B D
authors: BD
authors: Monteith
mesh_terms: D001732:Bite Force; D002508:Cephalometry; D017076:Computer-Aided Design; D015921:Dental Implants; D017267:Dental Prosthesis Design / Q000295:instrumentation*; D003799:Dental Stress Analysis / Q000379:methods*; D006047:Gold Alloys; D006801:Humans; D011475:Prosthesis Failure; D012984:Software; D013718:Tensile Strength
chemical_list: D015921:Dental Implants; D006047:Gold Alloys