Influence of Implant Geometry on the Surface Strain Behavior of Peri-Implant Bone: A 3D Analysis

To ensure long-term implant success, it is crucial to understand the force transmission from the implant to the surrounding bone. In dentistry, bioengineering methods are applied to investigate these processes. The aim of this study was to analyze the influence of different implant geometries on the surface strain behavior of porcine mandibles under load using a 3D optical camera system in combination with digital image correlation. Four different implant types were subjected to a force of 200 N in three different loading directions (axial, non-axial 15°, and non-axial 30°). Under axial loading, parallel-walled implants exhibited lower surface strain values on the peri-implant bone compared with tapered implants. However, when subjected to non-axial loading, these parallel-walled implants showed a substantial relative increase in strain by approximately a factor of 2.96 compared with axial conditions. At a 30° non-axial angle, long, tapered implants with a smaller diameter (BLX 3.75) produced lower peri-implant bone strains than implants with larger diameters and shorter lengths, while short, tapered implants (BLT) demonstrated a lower relative increase in strain (factor ~1.49) from axial to non-axial loading. Under non-axial loading, long, tapered implants with a small diameter resulted in lower strains in the peri-implant bone compared with implants with a larger diameter and shorter length. It was found that non-axial loads lead to higher strains than axial loads. Therefore, the success of implantation could be significantly influenced by selecting an appropriate implant geometry and the correct angulation of the implant.