Biomechanical Evaluation of Stress Distribution in Subcrestal Placed Platform-switched Short Dental Implants in D4 Bone: In Vitro Finite-element Model Study

The present study was carried out to assess stress distribution in the maxillary posterior bone region (D4 bone) with the help of a short platform switched subcrestal dental implants using the FEM model. Missing teeth surfaces related to the maxillary posterior region were stimulated. The bone model had a cancellous core of (0.5 mm) which represents D4 bone. A 7.5x4.6 mm screw type implant system with 3.5 platform switch abutment was selected. ANSYS WORKBENCH was used to model all the finite element structures. Force of 100 N was tested and adapted at an angle of 0o, 15o, 30o on the tooth model. Overall results from the current study showed that a high amount of stress was seen in cortical than in relation to cancellous bone. Stress values reduced from equicrestal to subcrestal (2 mm) placement of dental implants irrespective of angulation of load from 0o to 30o in both types of bone. However higher stress values were seen when force was applied in an oblique direction (30o) in comparison to a vertical load (0o). Least amount of stress was noticed when platform switched implants were placed 0.5 mm subcrestatlly irrespective of angulations of a load. Platform switched short subcrestal implants reduced the stress in the D4 cortical bone than in contrary equicrestal implant placement. This results in the preservation of marginal bone leading to implant success.