title: Impact of implant diameter and length on stress distribution in osseointegrated implants: A 3D FEA study.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  Dimension of dental implant is an important parameter which has a considerable impact on the biomechanical load transfer characters and its prognosis. Excessive stress in the bone-implant interface may result in the failure of the implant. The aim of this study was to evaluate the impact of implant diameter and length on neighboring tissues around the implant. The results of the study will help in developing a scientific methodology to select appropriate implant diameter and length.
  
  
  METHODS
  In this study, tapered implants of different diameter and length were numerically analyzed using bone-implant models developed from computed tomography generated images of mandible with osseointegrated implants. The impact of various diameters on stress distribution was examined using implants with a length of 13 mm and diameters of 3.5 mm, 4.3 mm and 5.0 mm. Implants with a diameter of 4.3 mm and lengths of 10 mm, 13 mm, 16 mm was developed to examine the impact of various implant length. All materials were assumed to be linearly elastic and isotropic. Masticatory load was applied in a natural direction, oblique to the occlusal plane. The Statistical Package for the Social Sciences software package was used for statistical analysis.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Maximum von Mises stresses were located around the implant neck. It was demonstrated that there was statistically significant decrease in von Mises stress as the implant diameter increased.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Within the limitations of this study there was statistically significant decrease in von Mises stress as the implant diameter increased.
authors.affiliation: Department of Prosthodontics, Chettinad Dental College and Research Institute, Kelambakkam, Tamil Nadu, India.
authors.forename: R
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Eazhil
authors.affiliation: Department of Prosthodontics, Ibn Sina National College for Medical Studies, Jeddah, Saudi Arabia.
authors.forename: Siva Vadivel
authors.initials: SV
authors.lastname: Swaminathan
authors.affiliation: Department of Prosthodontics, Ram Dental Care, Yanbu, KSA, Saudi Arabia.
authors.forename: Madhan
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Gunaseelan
authors.affiliation: Department of Prosthodontics, Asan Memorial Dental College and Hospital, Keerapakkam, Tamil Nadu, India.
authors.forename: G Vijay
authors.initials: GV
authors.lastname: Kannan
authors.affiliation: Department of Prosthodontics, Future Dental Center, Doha, Qatar.
authors.forename: Chandrapandian
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Alagesan
keywords: Dental implant; FEA study; implant diameter; implant length; masticatory load; stress analysis; von Mises stress