Finite element stress analysis on the effect of splinting in fixed partial dentures.

STATEMENT OF PROBLEM Long-span fixed partial dentures usually require splinting of multiple abutments to overcome mechanical problems associated with the long edentulous span. Most information and indications for the use of multiple splinted abutments have been empirically derived. PURPOSE This study analyzed the stress levels in the teeth and supporting structures of a fixed prosthesis and ascertained how the addition of multiple abutments in a fixed prosthesis modifies the stresses and their deflection. MATERIAL AND METHODS The finite element method was used to analyze mechanical behaviors of a prosthesis and its supporting structures when a fixed prosthesis with several designs replaced a mandibular second premolar and a first molar. Variations of the standard finite element model were made by changing the number of splinted teeth and the level of bone support. RESULTS A reduction of stress and deflection was observed in the supporting structures when a fixed partial denture was fabricated and teeth were splinted together. Increasing the number of splinted abutments did not reveal a proportional reduction of stress in the periodontium. Stress concentrations were seen in the connectors of prosthesis and in the cervical dentin area near the edentulous ridge. CONCLUSION Increasing the number of the splinted abutment did not compensate for the mechanical problems of a long-span fixed partial denture sufficiently.