Ultimate masticatory force as a criterion in implant selection

Osseointegrated implants often fail because of excessive masticatory forces that cause extremely large stresses in bone tissue. We hypothesized that a proper dental implant could be selected by comparing the ultimate masticatory forces of a wide range of commercially available implants. We determined ultimate oblique masticatory forces for different cylindrical implants, taking into consideration the biomechanical correlation between implant dimensions and stresses in supporting bone. For this purpose, we used the finite element (FE) method and studied von Mises stresses in implant-bone interface areas to evaluate the influence of implant dimensions on stress concentration and on the value of an implant's ultimate masticatory load. Geometric models of a mandibular segment were generated from computed tomography (CT) images and were analyzed with osseointegrated cylindrical implants. Masticatory forces were applied in their natural direction. All materials were assumed to be linearly elastic and isotropic. Critical point in the peri-implant area of bone was determined. The ultimate value of the masticatory load, which generates ultimate stresses at the critical point, was calculated for each implant. These findings provide correct selection of implant dimensions in clinical cases, because corresponding ultimate values of masticatory force were used as a criterion for assessment of their load-carrying capacity and applicability.