Effect of non‐rigid connector on the stress distribution of tooth‐implant supported fixed prostheses using different implant length and diameter: A comparative 3D finite element study

Abstract

Purpose To investigate the significance of the connector type on stress dissemination within the tooth‐implant‐supported fixed dental prostheses in the mandibular posterior region with different combinations of implant diameter and length by means of finite element analysis (FEA). Materials and Methods Six models of different designs for tooth‐implant fixed dental prosthesis (FDPs) were simulated and divided into two main groups. Implant lengths were 10, 11.5, and 13 mm while implant diameters were 3.7, 4.7, and 5.7 mm. The main difference between the groups was the connector type. Models were evaluated using 3D FEA (Solidworks Premium 2018 × 64 Edition). Group A tooth‐implant FDPs (5.7 mm × 10 mm) had a mesial and distal rigid connector while group B tooth‐implant FDPs (3.7 mm × 10 mm, 3.7 mm × 11.5 mm, 3.7 mm × 13 mm, 4.7 mm × 10 mm and 5.7 mm × 10 mm) had a mesial non‐rigid connector in their design between the pontic and the tooth. Models were analyzed to determine the magnitude of von Misses Stresses at six specific zones (fixed dental prosthesis, bone around distal implant, bone around tooth, cementum, periodontal ligament, implant) under vertical occlusal loading of 100 N after meshing and assigning the material properties. Results Stress values around the supporting bone were significantly higher in Group B (tooth‐implant FDP with non‐rigid connection) when compared to Group A (tooth‐implant FDP with rigid connection). Also, the stresses measured at the FDP level showed that the rigid connection group (5.7 mm × 10 mm) exhibited 26% lower stress values when compared to the non‐rigid group (5.7 mm × 10 mm). Conclusions Implant‐tooth FDPs with rigid connector design using the combination of implant diameter and length (5.7 mm × 10 mm) demonstrated a better design modality thus predicting a higher success rate and more longevity than using the non‐rigid connection option.