Purpose: To determine the ideal position of a dental implant to assist a posterior extended partial removable dental prosthesis (PRDP), through stress values, displacement values, and deformation of periodontal ligament (PDL).
Materials and methods: A finite element analysis of different implant positions was analyzed using a 3D mandible model from a human patient. Test models were created: model A (implant in second molar area), model B (implant in the first molar area), and model C (implant in premolar area). A control model without implant support was also created. Overall displacement values, von Mises stress distribution maps, and nonlinear deformations were evaluated.
Results: Some differences could be observed between test models. The introduction of an implant in the edentulous area, unlike a conventional removable partial denture without implant support, decreases stress values in the biological structures such as: mandible, tooth, soft tissue, and PDL. Placing the implant in the first molar area resulted in improved displacement values, and reduced maximum stress values at the peri-implant bone area, metal structure, and implant were observed.
Conclusions: Within the limitations of this study we can conclude that placing the implant in the position of the first molar improves biomechanical behavior of implant-assisted PRDPs.
Keywords: Dental implants; finite element analysis; removable partial dentures; resilient attachment.
© 2017 by the American College of Prosthodontists.