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Stress Distribution of Four-Unit Implant-Supported Fixed Partial Prosthesis with Different Numbers and Positions of Fixtures in Maxilla Anterior Region-3D FEA

Journal of Medical and Biological Engineering (2022)Cite this article

Abstract

Purpose

Implant rehabilitation for the maxillary anterior missing teeth can be a challenge. This study aimed to analyze bony stress distribution in the four-unit fixed partial denture surrounding implants by changing the number and position of fixtures via three-dimensional (3D) finite element analysis (FEA).

Methods

Nine 3D models were constructed by a different number of fixtures (1, 2, 3, 4 fixtures) and various positions of implants (P1, P2, P14, P24, P12, P23, P123, P124, P1234) via ANSYS computational-aided software. The implantation system was MIS Seven (Diameter 3.75 mm × length 10 mm), and all fixtures were placed at maxilla anterior partial edentulous models with 1.4 mm cortical bone thickness. All models were simulated under 50 degrees of loading angles relative to the implant’s long axis, and loading 50 N was applied on each crown palatal fossa with 200 N in total. The peak Von-Mises values were evaluated for the bony stress and strain of different implant numbers and positions.

Results

Higher peak stress values at cortical bone were found when only one abutment supported the four-unit bridge. The implant numbers revealed a significant difference between them (p = 0.01); at least three implant fixtures showed lower bony peak values. Four implant fixtures led the lowest bony peak value (19.88 MPa). The statistical findings of different cantilever and pontic designs showed no significant differences among them (p = 0.07); however, two implant fixtures with four splinted crowns led the highest bony value at position P12 and the lowest bony value at position P23.

Conclusion

The number of implants indeed affected the stress distribution of maxilla implant-supported four-unit FPDs. One implant fixture was not suggested to restore four splinted crowns; instead, at least three implant fixtures with cantilever or pontic design were recommended as showing lower peak stress over the upper anterior region.

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Acknowledgements

This study was partially supported by Ministry of Science and Technology of Taiwan (MOST 110-2314-B-037-059) and KMUH Research Project (KMUH-SA10909).

Funding

Funding was provided by Ministry of Science and Technology of Taiwan (MOST 110-2314-B-037-059) and KMUH Research Project (KMUH-SA10909).

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Division of Prosthodontics, Department of Dentistry, Kaohsiung Medical University Hospital, Kaohsiung, 807377, Taiwan

    Kai-Chun Cheng & Ting-Hsun Lan

  2. Department of Biomedical Engineering, I-Shou University, Kaohsiung, 82442, Taiwan

    Pao-Hsin Liu

  3. Dental Department, Kaohsiung Municipal Siaogang Hospital, Kaohsiung, Taiwan

    Han-Sheng Chen

  4. School of Dentistry, College of Dental Medicine, Kaohsiung Medical University, Kaohsiung, 807378, Taiwan

    Ting-Hsun Lan

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  1. Kai-Chun Cheng
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Correspondence to Ting-Hsun Lan.

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Cheng, KC., Liu, PH., Chen, HS. et al. Stress Distribution of Four-Unit Implant-Supported Fixed Partial Prosthesis with Different Numbers and Positions of Fixtures in Maxilla Anterior Region-3D FEA. J. Med. Biol. Eng. (2022). https://doi.org/10.1007/s40846-022-00729-0

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s40846-022-00729-0

Keywords

  • Fixed partial denture
  • Implant
  • Cantilever
  • Finite element analysis