BIOMECHANICAL INVESTIGATION OF TITANIUM AND ZIRCONIA DENTAL IMPLANTS

Abstract

This paper presents results from using a three-dimensional finite element model to investigate the stress level in surrouding bone as a function of implant material, diameter and length. The 32 different implant designs used in this study cover the diameter range from 3,5 to 6,5 mm, length range from 8.0 to 17.0 mm and materials - zirconia and titanium alloy. Models were subjecte to loading of 1 axial and 2 non-axial forces, all equal to 70 N. Analysis of results showed that increase in implant diametere and length generated lower stresses in both cortical and trabecular bone. Stresses in cortical bone were on average 19,1 percent lower using  zirconia dental implants. Titanium dental implants resulted in 9,8 percent lower stresses in trabecular bone.

DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.5755/j01.mech.23.4.15269