Loading of bone surrounding implants through three-unit fixed partial denture fixation:: a finite-element analysis based on in vitro and in vivo strain measurements

Implant-borne fixed partial dentures (FPDs), whether cementable or screwable superstructures, ought to display a true passive fit. The objective of this in vivo-based finite-element analysis is, therefore, to quantify the degree of stress which occurs in the bone around the implants as a result of the fixation of cemented and screw-retained FPDs. On the basis of a simulated patient situation with two implants, six groups of implant-supported superstructures containing 10 samples each were fabricated. Strain gauges which were mounted on the pontics of the restorations were subsequently used to take in vivo measurements (Ethics Commission Approval No. 2315). Taking the values obtained as a basis, the von Mises equivalent stress was chosen to illustrate bone loading in three-dimensional finite-element models. Superstructure fixation caused residual interface stress as high as 30 MPa. Similar stress magnitudes can be observed for axial implant loading of 200 N. Assuming that the axial loading of a single implant with 200 N is within the bone's physiological range, it can be concluded that the degree of stress resulting from the fixation of superstructures alone does not constitute a risk.