Load transfer from endosteal implants to supporting bone: an analysis using statics. Part one: Horizontal loading.

By use of engineering statics, the amount of force transferred to the crestal bone from a horizontal occlusal load, relative to the implant length necessary to support that load, was analyzed for hypothetical instances when the implant was embedded in a uniform mass of bone and when it was bicorticated. The analysis revealed that implants longer than 12 mm will not significantly reduce force transfer proportionately to the increased length. Also, bicortication will mitigate force transfer to the crestal bone. Finally, the amount of force transfer is directly proportional to the height of load application from the crestal bone.