Effect of Total Crown and Veneer Zirconia Meso-Structure Designs on Anterior Implant-Supported Restorations: A 3D Finite Element Analysis.

BACKGROUND

Unfavorable implant positioning in esthetic zones may result in buccal or incisal emergence of the prosthetic screw access, requiring alternative restorative strategies. This study evaluated, by three-dimensional finite element analysis (FEA), the effect of total crown and laminated veneer zirconia meso-structure designs cemented onto a titanium base (Ti-base) on stress distribution and bone microstrain.

MATERIAL AND

METHODS

Two zirconia meso-structure designs: total crown (TC) and laminated veneer (LV) were simulated on a Ti-base using previously validated models. A 20 Ncm screw torque and a 150 N oblique load at 30° were applied. Stress was analyzed using von Mises and maximum principal stress, and bone response by microstrain.

RESULTS

Both designs showed similar stress distribution in the implant, Ti-base, and screw. Microstrain concentrated mainly in the peri-implant cortical bone, with slightly wider distribution in the LV model.

CONCLUSIONS

TC and LV meso-structures exhibited comparable biomechanical behavior, suggesting that their selection may be guided primarily by restorative and esthetic considerations.