Experimental analysis of dental-implant load transfer in polymethyl-methacrylate blocks

Dental-implant overload can cause bone resorption. Load-transfer characteristics of dental implants are affected by their macro-design parameters. The goal of this study was to experimentally analyse the load-transfer characteristics of different dental implants, using polymethyl-methacrylate blocks. Three polymethyl-methacrylate blocks were created, with dimensions of (68 x 25 x 9) mm. Three dental implants, Nobel empty set3.5 mm x 15 mm, Strauman empty set4.1 mm x 10 mm and Strauman empty set4.8 mm x 12 mm. were placed in separate blocks. The samples were supported by a three-point-bending set-up and loaded with an axial force of 600 N. The 3D digital image correlation method was employed for strain and displacement measurements. The highest displacement and von Mises strain values were found for Strauman empty set4.1 mm x 10 mm (p lt 0.05), 0.186 mm and 0.596 %, respectively. The sample of Nobel empty set3.5 mm x 15 mm showed the lowest strain values. The sample of Strauman empty set4.8 mm x 12 mm (p > 0.05) had similar strain values as Nobel empty set3.5 mm x 15 mm. The load transfer during axial loading was primarily affected by the size of the implant contact surface. The displacement and strain values in the implant vicinity may provide an insight into the effect of dental-implant design on the load transfer