finite element study of an implant and natural tooth-supported mandibular over denture

ABSTRACT

This work studied the magnitude of stresses around a natural tooth and an osseointegrated implant supporting a m and ibular overdenture when subjected to a functional load applied at three situations. The natural tooth was a canine, while the implant was placed in the site of the other canine. The loading situations included the premolar- molar region of the tooth side, the premolar-molar region of the implant side and incisal region midwary between load was analyzed using the finite element method. By this method, a two-dimensional finite element model was generated to simulate the m and ibular arch, the model contained the implant, the tooth, the acrylic overdenture. Mathematical equations were designed, relating the force to displacements. The equations were solved using a computer. It was concluded that a natural tooth and an implant were used to support an overdenture. All the stresses on the implant were of the compressive types. The vertical component of the axially applied load produced an acceptable distribution of the stresses to both the tooth and the implant. The lateral component of force produced by posterior loading showed more compressive stresses on the distal side of the tooth. The lateral component of force produced by midline loading showed a potential distal movement of the tooth. When a natural tooth and an implant were used to support a m and ibular overdenture, the incisal loading affected the natural tooth more than the posterior loading