EFFECTS OF DENTAL IMPLANT LENGTH AND BONE QUALITY ON BIOMECHANICAL RESPONSES IN BONE AROUND IMPLANTS: A 3-D NON-LINEAR FINITE ELEMENT ANALYSIS

The aim of this study was to evaluate the influence of implant length and bone quality on the biomechanical aspects in alveolar bone and dental implant using non-linear finite element analysis. Two fixture lengths (8 and 13mm) of Frialit-2 root-form titanium implants were buried in 4 types of bone modeled by varying the elastic modulus for cancellous bone. Contact elements were used to simulate the realistic interface fixation within the implant system. Axial and lateral (buccolingual) loadings were applied at the top of the abutment to simulate the occlusal forces. The simulated results indicated that the maximum strain values of cortical and cancellous bone increased with lower bone density. In addition, the variations of cortical bony strains between 13mm and 8mm long implants were not significantly as a results of the same contact areas between implant fixture and cortical bone were found for different implant lengths. Lateral occlusal forces significantly increased the bone strain values when compared with axial occlusal forces regardless of the implant lengths and bone qualities. Loading conditions were found as the most important factor than bone qualities and implant lengths affecting the biomechanical aspects for alveolar bone and implant systems. The simulated results implied that further understanding of the role of occlusal adjustment influencing the loading directions are needed and might affect the long-term success of an implant system.