Effects of bone type and occlusal loading pattern on bone remodeling in implant-supported single crown: A finite...

To assess the influence of bone types and loading patterns on the remodeling process over 12 months according to the variations in stress, strain, strain energy density (SED), and density allocation in the bone of implant-supported single crown.

A three-dimensional finite element of a single crown implant was modeled in five different bone types (D1-D4, and grafted bone). A 200 N load was applied on an implant crown with three occlusal loading patterns (nonfunctional contact, functional contact at center, and at 2-mm offset loading). During the first 12 months after implant placement, the SED was employed as a mechanical stimulus to simulate cortical and cancellous bone remodeling.

Functional contact at 2-mm offset loading led to a higher bone remodeling rate and stress compared to functional contact at center and nonfunctional contact. Under 2-mm offset loading, the greatest remodeling rate after 12 months was achieved with D3 and D4, D2, grafted, and D1 cortical bone with an average peri-implant density of 1.95, 1.77, 1.56, and 1.50 g/cm³ , respectively. Meanwhile, the highest von Mises stresses were found in D4 (22.2 MPa) and D3 (21.9 MPa) bones.

A greater stress concentration and remodeling rate were found when an off-axial load was applied on an implant placed in low bone density. Although the fastest remodeling processes resulting in increased bone density and strength were found in D3 and D4 bone types with greater off-axial loading that may provide greater bone engagement, it could increase stress concentrations that are susceptible to inducing implant failure.