Evaluation of stress distribution of porous tantalum and solid titanium implant‑assisted overdenture in the mandible: A finite element study

Aims: The present study aimed to evaluate the stress distribution of porous tantalumimplant and titanium solid implant assisted overdenture (IAO) in mandibular bone by utilizingthree‑dimensional (3D) finite element (FE) analysis.Materials and Methods: In this FE study, an existing cone‑beam volumetric tomography scan ofa patient without any maxillofacial anomaly with an available acceptable IAO for mandible was usedto attain the compartments of a completely edentulous mandible. Zimmer trabecular implants andlocator attachment systems were selected as the case group (Model B), and Zimmer Screw‑Ventimplants and locator attachment system were chosen for the control (Model A), as overdentureattachments in the present study. The mandibular overdenture was scanned and digitized as a FEmodel. Two 3D FE models were designed as edentulous lower jaws, each with four implants in theanterior section of the mandible. Three forms of loads were directed to the IAO in each model:Vertical loads on the left first molar vertical molar (VM). Vertical loads on the lower incisors (VI).Inclined force buccolingually applied at left first molar (IM).Results: Under all loading conditions, the maximum strain values in peri‑implant bone in ModelA were less than Model B. Under VI, the greatest stress value around abutments in both modelswas about 2–3 times higher than the other loads. Under VM and IM loads, no significant differencewas observed between models.Conclusion: Using trabecular metal implants instead of solid implants reduces strain values aroundboth cortical and trabecular bone.