The Effect of Bone Type on Peri-implant Bone Stress in Regular and Narrow Diameter Implants on Oblique Loading

Purpose: A three-dimensional (3D) finite element analysis (FEA) was performed to evaluate the influence of bone quality, on the stress/strain in bone surrounding the implant. Materials and methods: Three-dimensional finite element models created to replicate completely osseointegrated endosseous titanium implants, were used for the purpose of stress analysis. Two study groups consisting of a regular platform (RP) group and a narrow platform (NP) group were used with four different bone densities and loaded using the ANSYS workbench software to calculate the Von Mises and principal (maximum tensile and minimum compressive) stress. Results: Maximum equivalent stress/strain in bone increased with a decrease in cancellous bone density. Under oblique load, especially in the low-density bone models, maximum equivalent strain was lower with the RP implant model than with the NP implant model. Discussion: This study confirms the importance of bone quality and its presurgical diagnosis for implant long-term prognosis. Implant and abutment diameter can also influence bone strain, especially in low-density bone. Conclusion: The results of this study suggest that bone of higher rather than lower density might ensure a better biomechanical environment for implants. Moreover, regular diameter implants could be a better choice in a jaw with cancellous bone of low density.