Evaluation of load transfer characteristics of five different implants in compact bone at different load levels by finite elements analysis.

STATEMENT OF PROBLEM The external contour of an implant and the magnitude of occlusal loading can have significant effects on the load transfer characteristics and may result in different bone failure rates for different implant systems. PURPOSE The goal of this study was to investigate the effects of external geometry and occlusal load magnitude on bone failure modes for 5 commercially available dental implant systems. MATERIAL AND METHODS Five different implant systems; Ankylos, Astra, Bicon, ITI, and Nobel Biocare, comparable in size, but different in thread profile and crest module shapes, were compared using the finite element method. Type II bone quality was approximated and complete osseous integration was assumed. Occlusal loads of varying magnitudes (0 to 2000 N) were applied on the abutments supporting single tooth restorations at 11.3 degrees from the vertical axis with a 1-mm offset. Total overloaded bone area, where tensile and compressive normal stresses fell outside of the recommended limits of 100 and 170 MPa, respectively, was investigated for different load levels. RESULTS For moderate levels of occlusal loads up to 300 N, the compact bone was not overloaded by any of the implant systems. At the extreme end of the occlusal load range (1000 N or more) the overloading characteristics of implants may be dependent on geometric shape. CONCLUSION In general, overloading occurs near the superior region of compact bone, in compression, and it is primarily caused by the normal and lateral components of the occlusal load. At the region of intersection of compact and trabecular bone, overloading occurs in tension due to the vertical component of the occlusal load. For excessive forces greater than 1000 N, the overloaded areas of the bone varied considerably among 5 different implants systems evaluated.