[Stress in an implant-supported unitary fixed partial prosthesis with different materials in the first lower premolar...

Area of Science:

• Biomaterials Science
• Dental Materials
• Finite Element Analysis

Context:

• Implant-supported fixed partial prostheses are crucial for restoring missing teeth.
• Evaluating the biomechanical behavior of different crown materials under load is essential for clinical success.
• Metal-ceramic, lithium disilicate, and zirconia are common materials used in dental restorations.

Purpose:

• To analyze and compare the stress distribution in metal-ceramic, lithium disilicate, and zirconia implant-supported crowns.
• To determine the material that exhibits the lowest stress concentration under simulated occlusal forces.
• To assess the biomechanical performance of these materials in a first lower premolar prosthesis using finite element analysis.

Summary:

• Three-dimensional models of implant-supported crowns (metal-ceramic, lithium disilicate, zirconia) were created for the first lower premolar.
• Finite element analysis (FEA) was employed to simulate vertical and oblique (45°) forces of 500 N.
• Results indicated that lithium disilicate and zirconia crowns showed minimal stress at the crown level, while zirconia demonstrated the lowest stress at the abutment level.

Impact:

• The findings provide valuable insights into the mechanical behavior of different prosthetic materials.
• Zirconia crowns appear to offer superior stress distribution, potentially leading to enhanced long-term implant stability and prosthesis survival.
• This study aids clinicians and researchers in material selection for implant-supported restorations, optimizing patient outcomes.