Finite Element Analysis and Fatigue Test of INTEGRA Dental Implant System

The study involved numerical FEA (finite element analysis) of dental implants. Based on this, fatigue tests were conducted according to the PN-EN 14801 standard required for the certification of dental products. Thanks to the research methodology developed by the authors, it was possible to conduct a thorough analysis of the impact of external and internal factors such as material, geometry, loading, and assembly of the dental system on the achieved value of fatigue strength limit in the examined object. For this purpose, FEM studies were based on identifying potential sites of fatigue crack initiation in reference to the results of the test conducted on a real model. The actions described in the study helped in the final evaluation of the dental system design process named by the manufacturer as INTEGRA OPTIMA 3.35. The objective of the research was to identify potential sites for fatigue crack initiation in a selected dental system built on the INTEGRA OPTIMA 3.35 set. The material used in the research was titanium grade 4. A map of reduced von Mises stresses was used to search for potential fatigue crack areas. The research [loading] was conducted on two mutually perpendicular planes positioned in such a way that the edge intersecting the planes coincided with the axis of the system. The research indicated that the connecting screw showed the least sensitivity (stress change) to the change in the loading plane, while the value of preload has a significant impact on the achieved fatigue strength of the system. In contrast, the endosteal implant (root) and the prosthetic connector showed the greatest sensitivity to the change in the loading plane. The method of mounting [securing] the endosteal implant using a holder, despite meeting the standards, may contribute to generating excessive stress concentration in the threaded part. Observation of the prosthetic connector in the Optima 3.35 system, cyclically loaded with a force of F ≈ 300 N in the area of the upper hexagonal peg, revealed a fatigue fracture. The observed change in stress peak in the dental connector for two different force application surfaces shows that the positioning of the dental system (setting of the socket in relation to the force action plane) is significantly decisive in estimating the limited fatigue strength.

Stresses induced by one piece and two piece dental implants in All-on-4® implant supported prosthesis under simulated lateral occlusal loading: non linear finite element analysis study

Background

Correct choice of the implant design and the occlusal scheme is important for the success of implant supported restorations. So, the aim of the current study was to find out the difference in the stresses induced by the one piece dental implants designed to be used in the All-on-4® concept and the conventional two piece ones under simulated lateral occlusal schemes using nonlinear finite element analysis.

Methods

Two finite element models of the maxilla, implants, and prostheses were designed according to the All-on-4® concept. In the model TP, two piece dental implants were placed while in the model OP one piece dental implants were used. Two loading scenarios were applied to each model; the first one simulated a group function occlusal scheme while the second scenario simulated a canine guided one.

Results

The highest stress value was recorded in the model TP with the group function occlusion and the lowest stress value was in the model OP with the canine guidance occlusion.

Conclusion

The one-piece dental implants can be concluded to induce less stress compared to the two piece dental implants when used in the All-on-4® implant supported prosthesis in the different lateral occlusal schemes. Canine guided occlusion can be concluded to cause lower stress values in comparison to the group function occlusal scheme.

Replacement of a molar with two narrow-diameter dental implants

Dental implants have demonstrated a high degree of success in the restorations of teeth in partially or completely edentulous patients. However, when the buccolingual width of the edentulous crest is insufficient for the placement of standard sized implants, the use of two or more smaller diameter implants should be considered to avoid the need for invasive reconstruction techniques such as grafting procedures. The present case report describes the replacement of a single mandibular first molar with two narrow-diameter implants, in a 41-year- old male patient. No postoperative complications were reported in the 3-year follow-up period. The placement of two narrow-diameter implants replacing a missing mandibular molar could eliminate the mesiodistal bending, double the support capacity in the buccolingual direction, and minimize stress on the implants.

Peri-implant biomechanical responses to standard, short-wide, and double mini implants replacing missing molar supporting hybrid ceramic or full-metal crowns under axial and off-axial loading: an in vitro study

Background

The aim of this study was to evaluate the biomechanical response of the peri-implant bone to standard, short-wide, and double mini implants replacing missing molar supporting either hybrid ceramic crowns (Lava Ultimate restorative) or full-metal crowns under two different loading conditions (axial and off-axial loading) using strain gauge analysis.

Methods

Three single-molar implant designs, (1) single, 3.8-mm (regular) diameter implant, (2) single, 5.8-mm (wide) diameter implant, and (3) two 2.5-mm diameter (double) implants connected through a single-molar crown, were embedded in epoxy resin by the aid of a surveyor to ensure their parallelism. Each implant supported full-metal crowns made of Ni-Cr alloy and hybrid ceramic with standardized dimensions. Epoxy resin casts were prepared to receive 4 strain gauges around each implant design, on the buccal, lingual, mesial, and distal surfaces. Results were analyzed statistically.

Results

Results showed that implant design has statistically significant effect on peri-implant microstrains, where the standard implant showed the highest mean microstrain values followed by double mini implants, while the short-wide implant showed the lowest mean microstrain values. Concerning the superstructure material, implants supporting Lava Ultimate crowns had statistically significant higher mean microstrain values than those supporting full-metal crowns. Concerning the load direction, off-axial loading caused uneven distribution of load with statistically significant higher microstrain values on the site of off-axial loading (distal surface) than the axial loading.

Conclusions

Implant design, superstructure material, and load direction significantly affect peri-implant microstrains.

Selective laser melting of titanium alloy enables osseointegration of porous multi-rooted implants in a rabbit model

Background

Osseointegration refers to the direct connection between living bone and the surface of a load-bearing artificial implant. Porous implants with well-controlled porosity and pore size can enhance osseointegration. However, until recently implants were produced by machining solid core titanium rods. The aim of this study was to develop a multi-rooted dental implant (MRI) with a connected porous surface structure to facilitate osseointegration.

Methods

MRIs manufactured by selective laser melting (SLM) and commercial implants with resorbable blasting media (RBM)-treated surfaces were inserted into the hind limbs of New Zealand white rabbits. Osseointegration was evaluated periodically over 12 weeks by micro-computerized tomography (CT) scanning, histological analysis, mechanical push-out tests, and torque tests.

Results

Bone volume densities were consistently higher in the MRI group than in the RBM group throughout the study period, ultimately resulting in a peak value of 48.41 % for the MRI group. Histological analysis revealed denser surrounding bone growth in the MRIs; after 4 and 8 weeks, bone tissue had grown into the pore structures and root bifurcation areas, respectively. Biomechanics tests indicated binding of the porous MRIs to the neobone tissues, as push-out forces strengthened from 294.7 to 446.5 N and maximum mean torque forces improved from 81.15 to 289.57 N (MRI), versus 34.79 to 87.8 N in the RBM group.

Conclusions

MRIs manufactured by SLM possess a connected porous surface structure that improves the osteogenic characteristics of the implant surface.

Dental Implant Length and Diameter: A Proposed Classification Scheme

PURPOSE

To propose a length-and-diameter-based classification scheme for dental implants to standardize terminology in the dental literature and communication between interested parties.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

This study was mainly based on searching two major resources: published scientific research papers and 14 of the most popular dental implant manufacturers. Indexed databases were searched from January 2004 up to and including February 2016 using the keywords "dental implant length" and "dental implant diameter." Retrieved titles and abstracts were screened, and related full-text articles were reviewed. Full-text articles that clearly stated the terms and measurements of implants used were included and considered for proposing this classification scheme.

RESULTS

The initial search for implant diameter and length yielded 1007 and 936 articles, respectively. A total of 85 studies (41 about diameter, 44 about length) were selected and reviewed. The remaining studies (966 about diameter, 892 about length) that did not abide by the eligibility criteria were excluded. The terms "long," "short," "standard," "wide," and "narrow" were the most commonly used terms in the literature. A classification scheme for implants by diameter and length was proposed.

CONCLUSIONS

Indexed publications contain a variety of terms used by authors to describe diameter and length of dental implants without conformity and standardization. The classification scheme proposed in this article could serve as a reference for interested parties.