Biomechanical assessment of strain concentration surrounding dental implants with diverse internal connection designs
Mohamed E. Gomaa, Attiah A. El-Gendy, Fatma A. ElhadadBackground
Excessive stress concentration at the implant-bone interface is a known factor in the etiology of peri-implant osteolysis. Internal connection geometries mitigate these adverse loading forces, playing a critical role in maintaining biomechanical equilibrium and minimizing crestal bone atrophy.
Purpose
To study strain developed around the implants in two different types of internal implant-abutment connections.
Patients and methods
Sixteen epoxy resin blocks were stratified into two groups to evaluate implants featuring internal hexagonal and internal trilobe connections. Following implant insertion and stock abutment securement, the assemblies were digitized, and crowns simulating the mandibular first molar were fabricated via computer assist manufacturing/computer assist designing technology and cemented. To quantify peri-implant deformation, strain gauges were bonded to the buccal and lingual surfaces of the blocks, parallel to the long axis of the implants. The specimens were subjected to loading via a universal testing machine; vertical loads of 100 N and oblique loads of 65 N were applied to the central fossa, and resultant strain values were recorded.
Result
There was a difference in the amount of strain developed around the implant between the different types of the connection.
Conclusion
The amount of strain was less in the trilobe than the hexagonal connection.