Effects of Occlusal Scheme on All-on-Four Abutments, Screws, and Prostheses: A Three-Dimensional Finite Element Study

An ideal occlusal scheme plays an important role in a good prognosis of All-on-Four applications, as it does for other implant therapies, because of the potential impact of occlusal loads on implant prosthetic components. The aim of the present 3D finite element analysis (FEA) study was to investigate the stresses on abutments, screws, and prostheses that are generated by occlusal loads via different occlusal schemes in the All-on-Four concept. 3D models of the maxilla, mandible, implants, implant substructures, and prostheses were designed according to the All-on-Four concept. Forces were applied from the occlusal contact points formed in maximum intercuspation and eccentric movements in canine guidance occlusion (CGO), group function occlusion (GFO), and lingualized occlusion (LO). The von Mises stress values for abutment and screws and deformation values for prostheses were obtained, and results were evaluated comparatively. It was observed that the stresses on screws and abutments were more evenly distributed in GFO. Maximum deformation values for prosthesis were observed in the CFO model for lateral movement both in the maxilla and mandible. Within the limits of the present study, GFO may be suggested to reduce stresses on screws, abutments, and prostheses in the All-on-Four concept.