This study aimed to test and compare 2 novel dental mini-implant designs to support overdentures with a commercial model, regarding the stress distribution, by photoelastic analysis. Three different mini-implant designs (Ø 2.0 mm × 10 mm) were tested: G1-experimental threaded (design with threads and 3 longitudinal and equidistant self-cutting chamfers), G2-experimental helical (design with 2 long self-cutting chamfers in the helical arrangement), and G3-Intra-Lock System. After including the mini-implants in a photoelastic resin, they were subjected to a static load of 100 N under two situations: axial and inclined model (30°). The fringe orders (n), that represents the intensity of stresses were analyzed around the mini-implants body and quantified using Tardy's method that calculates the maximum shear stress (τ) value in each point selected. In axial models, less stress was observed in the cervical third mini-implants, mainly in G1 and G2. In inclined models (30°), higher stresses were generated on the opposite side of the load application, mainly in the cervical third of G2 and G3. All mini-implant models presented lower tensions in the cervical third compared with the middle and apical third. The new mini-implants tested (G1 and G2) showed lower stresses than the G3 in the cervical third under axial load, while loading in the inclined model generated greater stresses in the cervical of G2.
Keywords: Biomechanics; dental implants; design; overdenture; photoelasticity.