Photoelastic Stress Analysis in Prosthetic
Implants of Different Diameters: Mini,
Narrow, Standard or Wide
ZC86-ZC90
Correspondence
Dr. Marcelo Coelho Goiato,
Adjunct Professor, Department of Dental Materials and Prosthodontics,
UNESP São Paulo State University José Bonifácio, 1193, Vila Mendonça Araçatuba, São Paulo- 16050-050, Brazil.
Phone: (18) 3636-3287, E-mail: goiato@foa.unesp.br
Purpose:This study investigated the biomechanical behavior of screwed partial fixed prosthesis supported by implants with different diameters (2.5 mm; 3.3 mm and 3.75 mm) by using a photoelastic analysis.
Materials and Methods: Six photoelastic models were fabricated in PL-2 resin as single crowns or splinted 3-unit piece. Models were positioned in a circular polariscope and 100-N axial and oblique (45 degrees) loads were applied in the occlusal surface of the crowns by using a universal testing machine (EMIC). The stresses were photographically recorded and qualitatively analyzed using a software (Adobe Photoshop).
Results: Under axial loading, the number of fringes was inversely proportional to the diameter of the implants in the single crown models. In the splinted 3-unit piece, the 3.75-mm implant promoted lower number of fringes regardless of loading area application. Under oblique loading, a slight increase of fringes number was observed for all groups.
Conclusion: The standard implant diameter promoted better stress distribution than the narrow and mini diameter implants. Additionally, the splinted crowns showed a more uniform stress distribution.