title: Stress distribution patterns of implant supported overdentures-analog versus finite element analysis: A comparative in-vitro study.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  The aim of this study was to asses & compare the load transfer characteristics of Ball/O-ring and Bar/Clip attachment systems in implant supported overdentures using analog and finite element analysis models.
  
  
  METHODS
  For the analog part of the study, castable bar was used for the bar and clip attachment and a metallic housing with a rubber O-ring component was used for the ball/O-ring attachment. The stress on the implant surface was measured using the strain-gauge technique. For the finite element analysis, the model were fabricated and load applications were done in a similar manner as in analog study.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The difference between both the attachment systems was found to be statistically significant (P<0.001).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Ball/O-ring attachment system transmitted lesser amount of stresses to the implants on the non-loading side, as compared to the Bar-Clip attachment system. When overall stress distribution is compared, the Bar-Clip attachment seems to perform better than the Ball/O-ring attachment, because the force was distributed better.
authors.affiliation: Department of Prosthodontics, V.S. Dental College and Hospital, Bengaluru, Karnataka, India.
authors.forename: Soumyadev
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Satpathy
authors.affiliation: Department of Prosthodontics, V.S. Dental College and Hospital, Bengaluru, Karnataka, India.
authors.forename: C L Satish
authors.initials: CL
authors.lastname: Babu
authors.affiliation: Department of Prosthodontics, V.S. Dental College and Hospital, Bengaluru, Karnataka, India.
authors.forename: Shilpa
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Shetty
authors.affiliation: Department of Prosthodontics, V.S. Dental College and Hospital, Bengaluru, Karnataka, India.
authors.forename: Bharat
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Raj
keywords: Ball/O-ring; Bar-Clip; finite element analysis; implant retained overdenture; overdenture attachments; strain gauges