This study was designed to investigate the influence of diameter reductions on the stress distribution around root-analogue implants via 3D finite element analysis. Four root-analogue implant models with different diameter reductions (0, 1, 2, or 3 mm), a traditional threaded implant and congruent bone models were created through reverse engineering. A 100-N force was applied parallel with and in a 45° angle to the implant axis, respectively. The stress concentration in the labial neck area around implants with 1-2 mm diameter reduction was lower than seen with no reduction. When the implant diameter was reduced by 3 mm, there were obvious stress concentrations in both implant and bone (the maximum stress was 206 and 111 MPa, respectively). In other groups, the maximum stress was 65.1 MPa in the bone and 108 MPa in the implant. Additionally, the stress concentration in the bone around the root-analogue implant when the implant diameter was reduced by 0-2 mm (maximum stress of 65.1 MPa) was obviously smaller than that around the traditional implant (maximum stress 130.4 MPa). Reducing the diameter of maxillary central incisor root-analogue implants by up to 2 mm next to the labial cortical bone could help disperse stress.
Keywords: finite element analysis; mechanical phenomena; prostheses and implants.
© 2022 Scandinavian Division of the International Association for Dental Research. Published by John Wiley & Sons Ltd.