OBJECTIVES: The degree of osseointegration and its patterns are important for the success of implants. 3D-FEA was used to determine interfacial stresses on a single tooth implant (IMZ) for four degrees of osseointegration (100, 75, 50 and 25%), and five patterns at 50% osseointegration (locally alternating, coronal only, apical only, facial only and lingual only). METHODS: The implant was restored with a metal-ceramic crown and subjected to 10 MPa axial or oblique applied stress. Resolved stresses were examined at four heights along the implant-bone interface. RESULTS: The degree of osseointegration did not affect resolved stress levels or distributions. Oblique loads elevated interfacial stresses 5 to 20 times. Stresses were always higher at the bone crest. CONCLUSIONS: Osseointegration patterns with crestal bone reduced both crestal and apical stresses. Apical only osseointegration produced much higher apical stresses. Crestal osseointegration and axial loads minimized overall stress.
OBJECTIVES: The degree of osseointegration and its patterns are important for the success of implants. 3D-FEA was used to determine interfacial stresses on a single tooth implant (IMZ) for four degrees of osseointegration (100, 75, 50 and 25%), and five patterns at 50% osseointegration (locally alternating, coronal only, apical only, facial only and lingual only). METHODS: The implant was restored with a metal-ceramic crown and subjected to 10 MPa axial or oblique applied stress. Resolved stresses were examined at four heights along the implant-bone interface. RESULTS: The degree of osseointegration did not affect resolved stress levels or distributions. Oblique loads elevated interfacial stresses 5 to 20 times. Stresses were always higher at the bone crest. CONCLUSIONS: Osseointegration patterns with crestal bone reduced both crestal and apical stresses. Apical only osseointegration produced much higher apical stresses. Crestal osseointegration and axial loads minimized overall stress.