title: Mandibular flexure and stress build-up in mandibular full-arch fixed prostheses supported by osseointegrated implants.
abstract: The biomechanical effect of mandibular functional flexure on stress build-up in implant-supported fixed restorations is discussed. The relative deformations and stress distributions in six different designs of implant-supported prosthetic systems (six or four implants, with or without distal cantilevers, cross-arch or midline-divided bar into two free-standing bridges) were analysed by a three-dimensional finite element (FE) model of a human edentulous mandible. A significant amount of stress in the more distal implants and the superstructure at the symphysis arises as a consequence of mandible functional flexure. The analysis of the stress distributions generated by the different restorative patterns suggests that a division of the superstructure at the level of the symphysis significantly restores the natural functional flexure of the mandible.
authors.affiliation: Department of Dental and Maxillofacial Sciences, University of Naples 'Federico II', Naples, Italy. zarone@unina.it
authors.forename: Fernando
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Zarone
authors.forename: Antonio
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Apicella
authors.forename: Luigi
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Nicolais
authors.forename: Raffaella
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Aversa
authors.forename: Roberto
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Sorrentino
mesh_terms: D002516:Ceramics / Q000737:chemistry; D003198:Computer Simulation; D015921:Dental Implants; D019094:Dental Prosthesis, Implant-Supported; D003779:Denture Design; D020342:Finite Element Analysis; D006047:Gold Alloys / Q000737:chemistry; D006801:Humans; D007575:Jaw, Edentulous / Q000503:physiopathology; D008334:Mandible / Q000502:physiology*; D016876:Metal Ceramic Alloys / Q000737:chemistry; D008954:Models, Biological; D016348:Osseointegration; D018583:Pliability; D013314:Stress, Mechanical; D013499:Surface Properties; D016474:Weight-Bearing / Q000502:physiology
chemical_list: D015921:Dental Implants; D006047:Gold Alloys; D016876:Metal Ceramic Alloys