PURPOSE: The purpose of this finite element analysis study was to evaluate the biomechanical behavior (stress distribution pattern) in the mandibular overdenture, mucosa, bone, and implants when retained with 2 standard implants or 2 mini implants under unilateral or bilateral loading conditions.

MATERIAL AND METHODS: A patient with edentulous mandible and his denture was scanned with cone beam computed tomography (CBCT), and a 3D mandibular model was created in the Mimics software program by using the CBCT digital imaging and communications in medicine (DICOM) images. The model was transferred to the 3Matics software program to form a 2-mm-thick mucosal layer and to assemble the denture DICOM file. A 12-mm-long standard implant (Ø3.5 mm) and a mini dental implant (Ø2.5 mm) along with the LOCATOR male attachments (height 4 mm) were designed by using the SOLIDWORKS software program. Two standard or 2 mini implants in the canine region were embedded separately in the 3D assembled model. The base of the mandible was fixed, and vertical compressive loads of 100 N were applied unilaterally and bilaterally in the first molar region. The material properties for acrylic resin (denture), titanium (implants), mucosa (tissue), and bone (mandible) were allocated. Maximum von Mises stress and strain values were obtained and analyzed.

RESULTS: Maximum stresses of 9.78 MPa (bilaterally) and 11.98 MPa (unilaterally) were observed in 2 mini implants as compared with 3.12 MPa (bilaterally) and 3.81 MPa (unilaterally) in 2 standard implants. The stress values in the mandible were observed to be almost double the mini implants as compared with the standard implants. The stresses in the denture were in the range of 3.21 MPa and 3.83 MPa and in the mucosa of 0.68 MPa and 0.7 MPa for 2 implants under unilateral and bilateral loading conditions. The strain values shown similar trends with both implant types under bilateral and unilateral loading.

PURPOSE: The purpose of this 3D finite element analysis study was to evaluate the biomechanical behavior of 2-implant mandibular overdentures (2IMO) and their individual components by using implants of different diameters.

MATERIAL AND METHODS: A 3D mandibular model was obtained from the cone beam computed tomography (CBCT) images of a 59-year-old edentulous man, and a 3D denture model was developed from intraoral scanning files in the Mimics software program. A 3D model of different diameters of implants (2.5 mm, 3.0 mm, 3.5 mm, and 4.0 mm) with a LOCATOR attachment was developed in the Solidworks software program. Two same-sized implants were inserted in the mandibular model at 10 mm from the midline in the 3Matics software program. A vertical load of 100 N was applied on the first molar region on the right side or both sides in the ANSYS software program. The maximum von Mises stresses and strains were recorded and analyzed.

RESULTS: Stresses within the implants decreased with an increase in diameter (from 2.5 mm to 3 mm, 3.5 mm, and 4.0 mm) of the implants. The highest stresses were observed with 2.5-mm-diameter implants (0.949 MPa under unilateral and 0.915 MPa under bilateral loading) and the lowest with Ø4-mm implants (0.710 MPa under unilateral and 0.703 MPa under bilateral loading). The strains on the implants ranged between 0.0000056 and 0.0000097, and those on the mandible ranged between 0.0000513 and 0.0000566 across all diameters of the implants without following a specific trend.

PURPOSE: The purpose of this finite element analysis study was to evaluate stress and strain distribution patterns in 2-implant mandibular overdentures with different positions and angulations of implants under unilateral and bilateral loading.

MATERIAL AND METHODS: A cone beam computed tomography (CBCT)-based, 3-dimensional (3D) model of the mandible and an intraoral scanning-based 3D model of the denture were developed in the Mimics software program. A 3D model of a standard-sized implant with a low-profile overdenture attachment (LOCATOR) was developed in the Solidworks software program. Two implants were inserted in the 3D model of the mandible, with implants placed at different positions, 5, 10, 15, and 20 mm from the midline, and different distal angulations, 0-5, 0-10, 0-15, 5-5, 10-10, and 15-15 degrees (at 10-mm distance), in the 3Matics software program. Unilateral and bilateral vertical loads of 100 N were applied on the first molars in the ANSYS software program to record maximum von Mises stresses and strain values.

RESULTS: The stresses in the implants were maximum when placed at a 20-mm distance (4.18 MPa under unilateral and 4.2 MPa under bilateral loading), while for the implants placed at 5 mm, 10 mm, and 15 mm, the indicated stresses were less than 2.46 MPa following an increasing trend with an increase in the distance. The stresses in the implants were maximum when placed at 15-15-degree angulations (0.93 under unilateral and 0.92 MPa under bilateral loading). For lower angulations, the stresses on the implants ranged from 0.05 to 0.87 MPa. No specific trend was observed in stresses and strains with 0-5-, 0-10-, and 0-15-degree angulations, but an increasing trend was observed with 5-5-, 10-10-, and 15-15-degree angulations under unilateral loading. Under bilateral loading, the stresses and strains on the implants and the mandible showed negligible variations across all 6 angulations.

PURPOSE: The purpose of this in vitro study was to evaluate the crestal strain around 2 implants to support mandibular overdentures when placed at different positions.

MATERIAL AND METHODS: Edentulous mandibles were 3-dimensionally (3D) designed separately with 2 holes for implant placement at similar distances of 5, 10, 15, and 20 mm from the midline, resulting in 4 study conditions. The complete denture models were 3D designed and printed from digital imaging and communications in medicine (DICOM) images after scanning the patient's denture. Two 4.3×12-mm dummy implants were placed in the preplanned holes. Two linear strain gauges were attached on the crest of the mesial and distal side of each implant (CH1, CH2, CH3, and CH4) and connected to a computer to record the electrical signals. Male LOCATOR attachments were attached, the mucosal layer simulated, and the denture picked up with pink female nylon caps. A unilateral and bilateral force of 100 N was maintained for 10 seconds for each model in a universal testing machine while recording the maximum strains in the DCS-100A KYOWA computer software program. Data were analyzed by using 1-way analysis of variance, the Tukey post hoc test, and the paired t test (α=.05).