Biomechanical Effect of an Exposed Dental Implant's First Thread: A Three-Dimensional Finite Element Analysis Study

3D Finite Element Study on Incomplete Osseointegration: Locator Attachment versus Ball Attachment

BACKGROUND: Incomplete implant osseointegration may affect the choice of the type of attachment to ensure less amount of bone resorption, periods of maintenance, and longer implant/attachment life-time. AIM: The aim of this study was to evaluate, using 3D FE analysis (FEA), the influence of two different types of attachments on the rate of bone resorption, need for maintenance and implant/attachment life time in cases of unpredictable osseointegration in various bone types and using different implant angulations. METHODS: Six finite element models were prepared; three for the locator attachment while the other three for the ball attachment. Each of the three models simulates vertical implant and inclined implants by 10° and 20° degrees. Frictional contact between implant and cortical bone simulated the incomplete osseointegration scenario. RESULTS: Non-linear static analysis results showed that locator attachment and its cap may have longer time life in comparison with the ball attachment and its cap. CONCLUSIONS: Both attachments were safe for cortical and spongy bone, while the cortical bone receives less Von Mises stress by up to 33% with the increased implant angulation.

Analysis of Root Canal Curvature and Root Canal Morphology of Maxillary Posterior Teeth in Guizhou, China

Background

We investigated the root canal curvature and morphology of maxillary posterior teeth in Guizhou, China, to provide references for clinical practice.

Material/Methods

We collected 274 maxillary posterior teeth in Guizhou Province, China. The root canal curvature was observed by X-ray film measurement. Two hundred teeth were selected to make transparent tooth models, and root canal configuration was recorded according to Vertucci classification criteria. The position of the MB2 root canal orifice and the mesiobuccal root canal configuration were observed by micro-computed tomographic (micro-CT) scanning. The t test and the chi-square test were used for statistical analysis.

Results

The root canals of the maxillary posterior teeth showed more significant curvature in the mesiodistal direction than in the buccolingual direction (P<0.05). The MB2 root canal of maxillary molars showed severe bending in the mesiodistal direction: 25.16±6.6 degrees and 28.05±8.65 degrees in first and second molars, respectively. The detection rate of MB2 was 48% in maxillary first molars and 32% in maxillary second molars. The results of micro-CT showed that the vertical distances between the MB2 and MB-P line were 0.64±0.34 mm and 0.57±0.28 mm in first and second molars, respectively.

Conclusions

The root canal morphology and curvature of maxillary posterior teeth varied greatly in the Guizhou population, which increases the difficulty of treatment. It is necessary for clinicians to gain understanding of the root canal and to improve the success rate of root canal therapy.

Establishment and Simulation of 3D Geometric Models of Mini-Pig and Sheep Knee Joints Using Finite Element Analysis

Background

Our objective was to establish and compare three-dimensional models of knee joints of mini-pigs and sheep, the 2 most commonly used animal models of osteoarthritis.

Material/Methods

Three-dimensional geometric models of knee joints were used to assess their biomechanical properties by analysis of the three-dimensional finite element stress load for flexion at 30° and 60°.

Results

Analysis of multiple tissues indicated that the sheep knee had greater stress peaks than the mini-pig knee at 30° flexion (range: 12.5 to 30.4 Mpa for sheep vs. 11.1 to 20.2 Mpa for mini-pig) and at 60° flexion (range: 17.9 to 43.5 Mpa for sheep vs. 15.9 to 28.9 Mpa for mini-pig). In addition, there was uneven distribution of stress loads in the surrounding ligaments during flexion.

Conclusions

Our three-dimensional finite element analysis indicated that the mini-pig knee joint had stress values and changes of cartilage, meniscus, and peripheral ligaments that were similar to those of the human knee.