Numerical simulation on the biomechanical interactions of tooth/implant-supported system under various occlusal forces with rigid/non-rigid connections

The aim of this study was to analyze the biomechanics in an implant/tooth-supported system under different occlusal forces with rigid/non-rigid connectors by adopting a 3D non-linear finite element (FE) approach. A 3D FE model containing one Frialit-2 implant splinted to the mandibular second premolar was constructed. Contact elements (frictional surface) were used to simulate the realistic interface condition within the implant system and the sliding keyway stress-breaker function. The stress distributions in the splinting system and dissimilar mobility between natural tooth and implant with rigid and non-rigid connectors were observed for six loading types. The simulated results indicated that the lateral occlusal forces significantly increased the implant (σI, max), alveolar bone (σAB, max) and prosthesis (σP, max) stress values when compared with the axial occlusal forces. The σI, max and σAB, max values did not exhibit significant differences regardless of the connector type used. However, the σP, max values with a non-rigid connection increased more than two times those of the rigid connection. The σI, max, σAB, max and σP, max stress values were significantly reduced in centric or lateral contact situations once the occlusal forces on the pontic were decreased. Moreover, the vertical-tooth-to-implant displacement ratios with a non-rigid connection were 23 and 9.9 times that for axial and lateral loads, respectively, applied on the premolar. However, the compensated non-rigid connector capabilities were not significant when occlusal forces acted on the complete prosthesis. The non-rigid connector (keyway device) only significantly exploited its function when the occlusal forces acted on a natural tooth. Minimizing the occlusal loading force on the pontic area through occlusal adjustment procedures to redistribute stress in the maximum intercuspation or lateral working position for an implant/tooth-supported prosthesis is recommended.