The present results suggest that the difference in masticatory performance and occlusal force between ISFPs and RPDs is small, but ISFPs are superior to RPDs with regard to OHRQoL in patients with mandibular distal-extension edentulism. In addition, there appears to be a slight correlation between the OHIP-J and occlusal force in these patients.

According to the variables determined using Latin hypercube sampling, 500 FE models were constructed and analyzed under each of the loads following the construction of response surfaces with the MES as a response value. D and L were minimized by optimized calculation with the MES limited to the physiological limit with reference to the mechanostat theory.Results: The MES was significantly influenced by D more than L, and could be restricted to the physiological limit unless both C and T were small. Finite Element ModelWe created three-dimensional finite element models (Fig. 1) 2). The superstructure of the implant prosthesis was simplified and consisted of gold alloy. All components, the bone, the superstructure, the abutment, and the implant body, were assumed to be fixed to each other.The models consisted of approximately 84,000 nodes and 80,000 hexahedron elements on average. All elements were homogenous and isotropic. The properties of the materials (Table 1) were based on previous studies. The nodes on the mesial and distal sections of the mandible were restrained in all directions. Loading Conditions

The prognosis of both types of prostheses was considered to be acceptable. Although D-RDP had lower complication-free rates for abutment teeth, most of the observed complications were decementation, which was considered to be reparable.

BackgroundThe purpose of this study was to investigate the influence of occlusal forces (the contractile force of masticatory muscles) exerted during occlusal adjustment on the distribution of the forces among teeth, implants, and temporomandibular joints (TMJs) in intercuspal clenching in cases with bilateral missing molars and premolars by using finite element analysis.MethodsA three-dimensional finite element model of the mandible with eight implants in the premolar and molar regions was constructed. Linearly elastic material properties were defined for all elements except the periodontal ligament, which was defined as nonlinearly elastic. The TMJs and antagonists were simplified and replaced with nonlinear springs. Antagonists were assumed to be natural teeth or implants and had two- or three-stage displaceability. We constructed finite element (FE) models in which occlusal adjustment with three kinds of occlusal force (40 N as a light bite, 200 N as a hard bite, and 400 N as a maximum biting force) was performed. The clearance by occlusal adjustment was decided beforehand with a trial-and-error method so that the occlusal forces were distributed similarly to the distribution of the natural dentition. Each model was evaluated under loads of 40, 100, 200, 400, and 800 N to determine the distribution of occlusal forces on the teeth and implants.ResultsThe occlusal forces were concentrated on the most posterior implants while the load was larger, and the percentage of bearing force at the TMJ was small, and vice versa.ConclusionsMaximum biting force was better for occlusal adjustment to prevent overloading of the most posterior implant.

The purpose of this study was to analyse the correlation between the location and/or direction of unilateral load and the dynamic behaviour of a mandibular complete denture using the three-dimensional finite element method (FEM). The FE model consisted of the body of mandible, alveolar mucosa, and a complete denture, and it could simulate the condition of contact between the surface of the mucosa and mucosal surface of a denture. Load vectors, which simulated premature contacts, were calculated on the supposition that a premature contact on an occlusal facet causes a vertical load on it. Load-A, a load vertical to the anterior occlusal facet, caused the least displacement of the denture and less concentrated stress distribution. Load-P, a load vertical to the posterior occlusal facet, was characterized by the stress distributed in the lingual area of the pre-molar lesion on the contra-lateral side of the load. Load-B, a load vertical to the balancing occlusal facet, caused the largest displacement of the denture. The relationship between loads and stress distribution was agreed approximately with the observations previously reported, and lead to some suggestions about occlusion for complete dentures.