Analysis of Bone-implant Interfacial Stress during Disocclusion in Complete Implant-supported Prosthesis: A Finite Element Study

Aim: Little is known about the biomechanical behavior of disocclusion patterns in implant-supported prostheses. Thus, the aim of the present study was to analyze the stresses generated at bone-implant interface during different patterns of disocclusion in an implant-supported lower complete denture without free distal ends using the three-dimensional (3-D) finite element method.

Study Design: Finite element method.

Methods: A 3-D model of a complete denture supported by five inter-foraminal implants and two distal was developed (CAE software Abaqus). A canine guide disocclusion (CG) was simulated applying a nodal load of 15 N at an angle of 45° on the canine tooth prosthesis, while to a bilateral balanced occlusion (BBO) a similar load pattern was applied at four distinct points, bilaterally. Linear elastic static analysis was used to compare the magnitude of maximum and minimum principal stresses at bone-implant interface for each simulation.

Results: The disocclusion pattern generated during CG exhibited a greater stress concentration at the bone-implant interface of the distal implant on the working side. BBO showed a more homogeneous stress distribution pattern at the bone-implant interface of the two distal implants. Anterior implants showed lower stress concentration.

Conclusions: Bilateral balanced occlusion (BBO) resulted in a more favorable stress distribution in this complete implant-supported prosthesis model.