Impact of implant diameter and length on stress distribution in osseointegrated implants: A 3D FEA study

AIMS AND OBJECTIVES: Dimension of dental implant is an important parameter which has a considerable impact on the biomechanical load transfer characters and its prognosis. Excessive stress in the bone–implant interface may result in the failure of the implant. The aim of this study was to evaluate the impact of implant diameter and length on neighboring tissues around the implant. The results of the study will help in developing a scientific methodology to select appropriate implant diameter and length. MATERIALS AND METHODS: In this study, tapered implants of different diameter and length were numerically analyzed using bone–implant models developed from computed tomography generated images of mandible with osseointegrated implants. The impact of various diameters on stress distribution was examined using implants with a length of 13 mm and diameters of 3.5 mm, 4.3 mm and 5.0 mm. Implants with a diameter of 4.3 mm and lengths of 10 mm, 13 mm, 16 mm was developed to examine the impact of various implant length. All materials were assumed to be linearly elastic and isotropic. Masticatory load was applied in a natural direction, oblique to the occlusal plane. The Statistical Package for the Social Sciences software package was used for statistical analysis. RESULTS: Maximum von Mises stresses were located around the implant neck. It was demonstrated that there was statistically significant decrease in von Mises stress as the implant diameter increased. CONCLUSION: Within the limitations of this study there was statistically significant decrease in von Mises stress as the implant diameter increased.