The strength of LTI carbon dental implants

In vitro mechanical tests have been performed on a variety of LTI pyrolytic carbon blade-type dental implants, and the test results have been analyzed using an analytical model. Tensile stresses at fracture were calculated to be about 5 X 10(4) psi and 8 X 10(3) psi in the LTI carbon coating and the graphite substrate, respectively. These values are close to their respective fracture strengths. The fracture loads predicted by the model are in good agreement with data obtained from the mechanical tests and are higher than forces expected in mastication.