THE MANDIBLE REMODELING INDUCED BY DENTAL IMPLANTS: A MESHLESS APPROACH

This work aims to evaluate the prediction efficiency of a recently developed numerical approach in the mandible bone tissue remodeling process. The remodeling algorithm, seeking the minimization of the strain energy density, includes a phenomenological anisotropic material law capable of predicting the bone tissue mechanical properties based on the bone apparent density. The key factor of the proposed numerical approach is the inclusion of a flexible and efficient meshless method, which is used to obtain the strain energy density field. The inclusion of this advance discretization technique in the process is an asset since meshless methods produce smoother and more accurate strain energy density fields when compared with other numerical approaches. The bone tissue remodeling process of the molar region of the mandible, due to the inclusion of an implant system, is studied. The obtained results are in accordance with other numerical approach results available in the literature.