title: A Digital Image Correlation Analysis of Strain Generated by 3-Unit Implant-Supported Fixed Dental Prosthesis: An In Vitro Study.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To evaluate the influence of different veneering materials (porcelain and resin) and implants (short and conventional) in the strain distribution of implant-supported splinted fixed partial dentures (FPDs) using digital image correlation (DIC).
  
  
  METHODS
  Four polyurethane models were fabricated with resin replicas (first premolar) and short and/or conventional implants replacing the second premolar and first and second molars, according to the following configurations: G1, 2 conventional (second premolar and first molar) and 1 short (second molar) implant; G2, 1 conventional (second premolar) and 2 short (first and second molar) implants; G3, 3 short implants; G4, 3 conventional implants. Porcelain- and resin-veneered splinted FPDs were screwed to the implant abutments. The DIC system was used to calculate strains during application of occlusal load (250 N).
  
  
  RESULTS
  Porcelain- and resin-veneered showed similar strain distribution for all groups (P > 0.05). Concentration of compressive strains was higher in G3P and G3R with maximum compressive strains of -1271.50 and -1026.88 μs, respectively. G4 transferred the best strain distribution (porcelain, -275.14 μs; resin, -254.44 μs), followed by G2 (porcelain, -306.79 μs; resin, -310.63 μs).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The veneering material used did not influence the strain distribution. In addition, conventional implants generate less strain concentration, although the combination of 2 short and 1 conventional implant seems to be a viable plan.
authors.affiliation: *Professor, Prosthodontic Department, Arcoverde School of Dentistry, University of Pernambuco, Arcoverde, Brazil. †Laboratory Technician, Department of Dental Materials and Prosthodontics, Ribeirao Preto School of Dentistry, University of Sao Paulo, Ribeirao Preto, Brazil. ‡Professor, Prosthodontic Department, Federal University of Triângulo Mineiro, Uberaba, Brazil. §Professor, Department of Prosthodontics (MOT), School of Dentistry, Fluminense Federal University, Niterói, Brazil. ¶Professor, Department of Dental Materials and Prosthodontics, Ribeirao Preto School of Dentistry, University of Sao Paulo, Ribeirao Preto, Brazil.
authors.forename: Raniel F
authors.initials: RF
authors.lastname: Peixoto
authors.forename: Ana P
authors.initials: AP
authors.lastname: Macedo
authors.forename: Janisse
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Martinelli
authors.forename: Adriana C Lapria
authors.initials: ACL
authors.lastname: Faria
authors.forename: Rodrigo
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Tiossi
authors.forename: Ricardo F
authors.initials: RF
authors.lastname: Ribeiro
authors.forename: Maria da G C
authors.initials: MDGC
authors.lastname: de Mattos
mesh_terms: D000180:Acrylic Resins / Q000737:chemistry*; D015921:Dental Implants; D003776:Dental Porcelain / Q000737:chemistry*; D019094:Dental Prosthesis, Implant-Supported; D003799:Dental Stress Analysis; D003801:Dental Veneers; D003779:Denture Design; D003830:Denture, Partial, Fixed; D007091:Image Processing, Computer-Assisted; D066298:In Vitro Techniques; D008422:Materials Testing; D013314:Stress, Mechanical
chemical_list: D000180:Acrylic Resins; D015921:Dental Implants; D003776:Dental Porcelain