FINITE ELEMENT ANALYSIS OF A DENTAL IMPLANT

This paper presents results from using a 3-dimensional finite element model to assess the stress distribution in the bone, in the implant and in the abutment as a function of the implant's diameter and length. Increasing implant diameter and length increases the stability of the implant system. By using a finite element analysis, we show that implant length does not decrease the stress distribution of either the implant or the bone. Alternatively, however implant diameter increases reduce the stresses. For the latter case, the contact area between implant and bone is increased thus the stress concentration effect is decreased. Also, with increased implant diameter the bone loss is decreased and as a consequence the success rate is improved.