BACKGROUND: Strain gauge analysis and finite element (FE) simulations were used to estimate the bone strain and micromovement at the bone-implant interface (BII) for platform switching and different diameters of a single, immediately loaded mandibular implant. METHODS: Four models were created, including 5-mm-diameter implants assembled with abutments that were 5 or 4 mm in diameter on bonded (delay-loading treatment) and contact (immediate-loading treatment) BIIs; a model with an implant diameter of 3.75 mm was also analyzed. Vertical and lateral loads of 130 N were applied to all models. RESULTS: During lateral loading, the strains were highly concentrated on one side of the mandible in the experimental and validation FE models. Bone strains were reduced by <10% when platform switching was used compared to no platform switching. However, increasing implant diameter decreased the surrounding bone strain significantly. The sliding and gap distances at the BII did not differ significantly among all models considered. CONCLUSIONS: Bone strain was reduced more by increasing the diameter of the implant than by using platform switching in the immediately loaded implant. However, neither a wide implant nor platform switching reduced micromotion at the BII for enhancing implant stability.
BACKGROUND: Strain gauge analysis and finite element (FE) simulations were used to estimate the bone strain and micromovement at the bone-implant interface (BII) for platform switching and different diameters of a single, immediately loaded mandibular implant. METHODS: Four models were created, including 5-mm-diameter implants assembled with abutments that were 5 or 4 mm in diameter on bonded (delay-loading treatment) and contact (immediate-loading treatment) BIIs; a model with an implant diameter of 3.75 mm was also analyzed. Vertical and lateral loads of 130 N were applied to all models. RESULTS: During lateral loading, the strains were highly concentrated on one side of the mandible in the experimental and validation FE models. Bone strains were reduced by <10% when platform switching was used compared to no platform switching. However, increasing implant diameter decreased the surrounding bone strain significantly. The sliding and gap distances at the BII did not differ significantly among all models considered. CONCLUSIONS: Bone strain was reduced more by increasing the diameter of the implant than by using platform switching in the immediately loaded implant. However, neither a wide implant nor platform switching reduced micromotion at the BII for enhancing implant stability.