FEM Analysis of Individualized Polymeric 3D Printed Guide for Orthodontic Mini-Implant Insertion as Temporary Crown Support in the Anterior Maxillary Area

Abstract

Either due to trauma, extraction or congenital factors, the absence of teeth has aesthetic, functional, financial and psychological consequences. The aim of the current study is to assess an individualized polymeric 3D printed digitally planned surgical guide designed to achieve precision and predictability in non-standard mini-implant orthodontic cases. Twenty-seven patient records with missing anterior teeth were selected from the database of a private clinic in Timisoara, Romania. Based on the analysis of the cases included in the research, a surgical guide for the insertion of mini-implants as provisional crown support was designed. An FEM simulation was performed using the Abaqus numerical analysis software. Finite element simulation revealed the maximum displacements and stresses that occur in the surgical guide. Mini-implant supported provisional crowns can be a simple and low-cost method to increase patient self-esteem and compliance with the orthodontic treatment. Computer aided mechanical simulation is a useful tool in analyzing different polymeric surgical guide designs before being used in clinical situations in order to avoid failure.

Advancements and Limitations in 3D Printing Materials and Technologies: A Critical Review

“…Despite these limitations, the authors emphasized the potential benefits of 3D printing technology for creating customized medical devices, such as stents used in angioplasty procedures, and the additive manufacturing processes that can be used to improve their performance for specific medical applications (Figure 8). The study conducted by Nagib et al [60] examined the use of a polymeric 3D-printed surgical guide for non-standard mini-implant orthodontic cases. They performed an FEM simulation using the Abaqus numerical analysis software.…”

“…It features a blue simulated topological associating domain model, and the yellow component simulates the 3D-printed insertion tool. The study conducted by Nagib et al [60] examined the use of a polymeric 3D-printed surgical guide for non-standard mini-implant orthodontic cases. They performed an FEM simulation using the Abaqus numerical analysis software.…”

Finite element analysis of the mechanical behavior of 3D printed orthodontic attachments used in aligner treatment

“…Studies suggest that higher bonding forces lead to superior retention of the attachments 25 . The Finite Element Method numerical technique used to analyze the proposed method of 3D printed aligner attachments versus the conventional method is widely used in the orthodontic field to analyze the stress strain distribution of orthodontic appliances 5 , 26 and has long been validated as a tool that provides acceptable accuracy to predict clinical outcomes 7 . Given the small contact area analized and identical simulation environments, the present study uses simplified models in FEM simulations 27 , the aim being to reduce the number of nodes and the overall output time of the analysis.…”

A Finite Element Analysis of a Tooth-Supported 3D-Printed Surgical Guide without Metallic Sleeves for Dental Implant Insertion

“…In spite of the great number of clinical studies performed on resin guides for dental implant insertion, a limited number of studies analyzed the behavior of the surgical guide during its use for implant bed preparation [17,18,42,43] and none investigated the behavior of a tooth-supported, extensively used guide. Among the published studies, one evaluated a resin guide for the insertion of a mini implant aiming to restore a central maxillary incisor [18]. The authors proposed a guide with an open-frame design, customized for use in restoring the anterior maxilla.…”

“…In spite of the high degree of predictability of the surgical guides reported in the literature, some complications, such as guide fracture, could occur [15,16]. Few studies are focused on analyzing the mechanical behavior of full resin surgical guides and stress distribution during implant surgery to improving their design and strength [17,18], while they are custom-created for each individual patient.…”