Abstract
Dental implantology is a frequently applied method for prosthetic restoration of edentulous dental arches. In the past 50 years it has been evolving most dynamically among other branches of dental sciences. According to several reviews and meta-analysis of literature, it seems that the most predictable phase that influences success rate of dental implants is limited only to the surgical stage of treatment [1]. The long term success of dental implants is highly influenced by their biomechanical behaviour, load transfer and osseous tissue reactions to local mechanical tensions around dental implants [1-3]. This in vitro study was aimed to investigate and locate peak tensions inside the fixating substrate of dental implant intimacy. Three root form dental implants were installed, with 14 mm length and 4.5 mm diameter, in tripodistic alignment in a highly rigid and resistant plastic sheet (Araldit-D) also used for photo-elastic measurements. The dental implants were compressed simultaneously and grouped with linear, vertical forces. The mechanical stress distribution and the displacement field of the fixating substrate were analyzed with Digital Image Correlation method (DIC). This modern, non-contact optical investigational method offers highly accurate measurements with great precision (in order of microns, mainly pixel by pixel) practically eliminating all disadvantages and limitations of the most used, classical, experimental methods [4, 5]. Peak tensions were found at the neck area of this type of dental implants. The thickness of the fixating substrate influenced more the appearance of peak tensions rather than the distance between two dental implants. Tripodistic alignment of dental implants might be reconsidered in areas where bone thickness is limited. Virtual, biomechanical simulations should be used in future for surgical treatment planning.
Keywords: dental implant biomechanics; tripodistic alignment; strain field; digital image correlation method