Influence of Treatment Plans on Stress and Deformation Distribution in Mandibular Implant-Supported Overdenture and Mandibular Bone under Traumatic Load: A 3D FEA

Purpose Using three-dimensional finite element analysis, this study aimed to provide insight into the complexity of stresses and deformations induced by trauma on a mandible reconstructed with 5 different treatment plans of implant-supported overdentures and 3 different implant lengths. Methods A 3D model was generated from a Cone Beam Computed Tomography CBCT image of the edentulous mandible. A perpendicular force of 700 N was applied to the mandible in three different locations. Results Regardless of traumatic load location, peak maximum principal stress in the cortical and cancellous bone of the model – with an overdenture supported by 5 implants following an overdenture supported with 3 implants – was minimal. Of the 45 models, the highest maximum principal stress within the cortical bone was measured in an overdenture on 2 implants (510 MPa), and the lowest (55 MPa) was observed in an overdenture on 3 implants. An increase in the load from 700 N to 2000 N increased the maximum principal stress levels within the bone up to 127%. Conclusions The study revealed that stress and deformation distribution within a mandibular bone treated with dental implants were influenced by the treatment plan but not by implant length. Furthermore, the implant-bone interface was found to be the most fracture-prone site, followed by the condylar neck.