Biomechanics of endodontic endosseous implants--a comparative photoelastic evaluation

Dental biomechanics is an interdisciplinary study wherein engineering principles are used for the better understanding of clinical dentistry. The present biomechanical study was done to understand the mechanism by which an endodontic implant transmits occlusal forces to the surrounding bone. In this experimental study, photoelastic techniques were utilized to compare stress distribution patterns in the supporting bone of an intact tooth, a tooth with supporting bone loss, and a tooth stabilized using an endodontic endosseous implant. It was concluded that there were distinct variations in the biomechanics underlying various dental clinical conditions. Further, the implant did not appear to improve the stress distribution.