Investigation of Stresses Induced by Different Framework Materials in Implant-Supported Fixed Prosthesis Using Finite Element Analysis.

BACKGROUND

In the implant-prosthesis complex, material choice and prosthetic design directly affect stress distribution and load transmission.

AIM: This study aimed to compare the effects of different prosthetic framework materials on stress distribution in implant-supported fixed prostheses, using titanium and zirconia abutments, through three-dimensional finite element stress analysis.

METHODS

In this study, two titanium implants (4.1 mm × 10 mm) with one titanium and one zirconia abutment were modeled. Three-dimensional finite element models of implant-supported fixed prostheses were created using six framework materials and four veneering types, forming ten groups in total. After meshing bone and restorative structures, material properties (Poisson's ratio and Young's modulus) were assigned. A 178 N load was applied vertically and at 45° to the palatal surfaces of the maxillary central incisor and canine, and von Mises and tensile stresses were analyzed in the implants, abutments, peri-implant bone, and superstructures.

RESULTS

Under both loading conditions, the highest stresses occurred in the polyetheretherketone (PEEK) (implants, abutments) and fiber-reinforced composite (FRC) (superstructures) groups, while the lowest were found in the monolithic zirconia group. In cortical bone, stress was highest in the FRC group under oblique loading and in the PEEK group under vertical loading, whereas the Co-Cr group showed the lowest abutment stress under oblique loading.

CONCLUSION

The study demonstrated that different framework materials significantly affect stress distribution within the implant, abutment, peri-implant bone, and prosthetic superstructure. Framework materials with lower elastic modulus were found to induce higher stress accumulation in the surrounding bone tissue, implant components, and crown structures.