Implant design and interface force transfer. A photoelastic and strain-gauge analysis.
OBJECTIVE
To compare stress and strain magnitudes of butt-joint and internal-cone oral implants in a bone simulant.


METHODS
Photoelastic and strain-gauged models of solitary Brånemark, ITI and Astra Tech implants were obtained. Vertical and 20 degrees oblique forces of 100 and 150 N were applied on the abutments in separate load cases. Isochromatic fringe patterns around implants were observed and photographed in the field of a polariscope. Strain-gauge measurements were performed and principal strains induced around implants were calculated.


RESULTS
Isochromatic fringe orders of all designs were similar under both loading conditions (P>0.05). Strains around Brånemark implants were lower than around Astra Tech and ITI implants, particularly under vertical loads. The latter implants had similar strain magnitudes (P>0.05), although strains around the conical Astra Tech implant were lower under vertical load.


CONCLUSIONS
Butt-joint and internal-cone oral implants have similar force distribution characteristics. The implant-abutment mating design is not a decisive factor affecting stress and strain magnitudes in a bone simulant.
Department of Prosthetic Dentistry, BIOMAT Research Group, Catholic University of Leuven, Belgium.
Murat
M
Cehreli
Joke
J
Duyck
Michel
M
De Cooman
Robert
R
Puers
Ignace
I
Naert
D001696:Biomechanical Phenomena; D001718:Birefringence; D000044:Dental Abutments; D003758:Dental Implantation, Endosseous; D015921:Dental Implants; D017267:Dental Prosthesis Design; D017268:Dental Prosthesis Retention / Q000295:instrumentation; D003799:Dental Stress Analysis / Q000379:methods; D004548:Elasticity
D015921:Dental Implants