Pongsakorn Warin1, Pimduen Rungsiyakull2, Chaiy Rungsiyakull3, Pathawee Khongkhunthian4. 1. Center of Excellence for Dental Implantology, Faculty of Dentistry, Chiang Mai University, Chiang Mai, Thailand. Electronic address: dr_pongsakorn@hotmail.com. 2. Department of Prosthodontics, Faculty of Dentistry, Chiang Mai University, Chiang Mai, Thailand. 3. Department of Mechanical Engineering, Faculty of Engineering, Chiang Mai University, Chiang Mai, Thailand. 4. Center of Excellence for Dental Implantology, Faculty of Dentistry, Chiang Mai University, Thailand.
Abstract
PURPOSE: To investigate the strains around mini-dental implants (MDIs) and retromolar edentulous areas when using different numbers of MDIs in order to retain mandibular overdentures. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Four different prosthetic situations were fabricated on an edentulous mandibular model including a complete denture (CD), and three overdentures, retained by four, three or two MDIs in the interforaminal region with retentive attachments. A static load of 200N was applied on the posterior teeth of the dentures under bilateral or unilateral loading conditions. The strains at the mesial and distal of the MDIs and the retromolar edentulous ridges were measured using twelve strain gauges. Comparisons of the mean microstrains among all strain gauges in all situations were analyzed. RESULTS: The strain distribution determined during bilateral loading experienced a symmetrical distribution; while during unilateral loading, the recorded strains tended to change from compressive strains on the loaded side to tensile strains. Overall, the number of MDIs was found to be passively correlated to the generated compressive strain. The highest strains were recorded in the four MDIs followed by three, two MDIs retained overdenture and CD situations, respectively. The highest strain was found around the terminal MDI. CONCLUSIONS: The use of a low number of MDIs tends to produce low strain values in the retromolar denture-bearing area and around the terminal MDIs during posterior loadings. However, when using a high number of MDIs, the overdenture tends to have more stability during function.
PURPOSE: To investigate the strains around mini-dental implants (MDIs) and retromolar edentulous areas when using different numbers of MDIs in order to retain mandibular overdentures. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Four different prosthetic situations were fabricated on an edentulous mandibular model including a complete denture (CD), and three overdentures, retained by four, three or two MDIs in the interforaminal region with retentive attachments. A static load of 200N was applied on the posterior teeth of the dentures under bilateral or unilateral loading conditions. The strains at the mesial and distal of the MDIs and the retromolar edentulous ridges were measured using twelve strain gauges. Comparisons of the mean microstrains among all strain gauges in all situations were analyzed. RESULTS: The strain distribution determined during bilateral loading experienced a symmetrical distribution; while during unilateral loading, the recorded strains tended to change from compressive strains on the loaded side to tensile strains. Overall, the number of MDIs was found to be passively correlated to the generated compressive strain. The highest strains were recorded in the four MDIs followed by three, two MDIs retained overdenture and CD situations, respectively. The highest strain was found around the terminal MDI. CONCLUSIONS: The use of a low number of MDIs tends to produce low strain values in the retromolar denture-bearing area and around the terminal MDIs during posterior loadings. However, when using a high number of MDIs, the overdenture tends to have more stability during function.