Effects of Different Positions and Angles of Implants in Maxillary Edentulous Jaw on Surrounding Bone Stress under Dynamic Loading: A Three-Dimensional Finite Element Analysis

PURPOSE: To evaluate the effects of different placements of mesial implants and different angles of distant implants in maxillary edentulous jaws on the stress on the implant and the surrounding bone tissue under dynamic loading. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Cone beam computed tomography was used to acquire images of maxillary edentulous jaws. Using Mimics 17.0, Geomagic, and Unigraphics NX8.5 software, three-dimensional models were established: two mesial implants were placed vertically in the anterior region of the maxilla (bilateral central incisor, lateral incisor, and canine), and two distant implants were placed obliquely in the bilateral second premolar area at different inclined angles (15°, 30°, and 45°). The established models were designated I–IX. The models were subjected to dynamic load using Abaqus 6.12, with the working side posterior teeth loading of 150 N and simulation cycle of 0.875 s. RESULTS: During the second to fourth phases of the mastication cycle, the stress was mainly concentrated on the neck of the distal implant. The stress of the distal implants was greater than that of mesial implants. Stress levels peaked in the third stage of the cycle. The stress of the distal cortical bone of distal implant of Model I reached the maximum of 183.437 MPa. The stress of the distal cortical bone and cancellous bone of distal implant of Model VIII represented the minima (62.989 MPa and 17.186 MPa, respectively). CONCLUSIONS: Our models showed optimal stress reductions when the mesial implants were located in the canine region and the distal implants tilted 30°.