Mandibular strains induced by conventional and novel dental implants

Abstract

This paper describes an experimental study that aimed at determining the mandibular strains provoked by impact loads on conventional and non-conventional dental implant systems. The novel implant differs from typical commercial designs because it comprises an elastomeric material barrier (stress shock absorber) interposed between the implant and an artificial crown. A dried implanted cadaveric mandible with strain gauges placed at the inner and outer surfaces in the direction of the implant axis was used. The implants were loaded dynamically and uniaxial strains recorded. Overall, the results showed that an interposing flexible material between the crown and the top surface of the implant attenuates the load, avoiding high peak loads, which can occasionally occur from non-physiological occlusion loads that can be transferred to the surrounding bone tissue.