OBJECTIVETo study the distribution patterns of stresses induced in bone tissue surrounding solely and splinted implants under dynamic loads.

METHODSThree dimensional finite-element models were created of two 765 sections of the mandible with solely or splinted implants embedded in. Vertical and oblique dynamic loads were applied in a circle of mastication (0.875 s). The stress distribution was analyzed to study the biomechanical behavior of bone tissue surrounding solely or splinted implants.

RESULTSAs loading on the solely implant 5, the maximum von Mises value in the surrounding bone tissue under oblique loads at 0.300 s was 4.2 times as much as that under vertical loads at 0.150 s. Meanwhile, as coincidently loading on the splinted implants, the maximum von Mises value at 0.300 s was 1.2 times as much as that at 0.150 s. As loading on the solely implant 5, the maximum stress value was 48.393 MPa at 0.300 s. As separately loading on the splinted implant 5, the maximum stress value of the whole model was 9.541 MPa in the same loading course, and the maximum stress was located at the distal cervical of the indirectly loaded implant 7. When loading on the pontic, the stress in bone tissue surrounding implant 7 was more than that of implant 5.

CONCLUSIONSStress in the bone-interface of the splinted implants is evenly distributed at the cervical level, which may also reduce disadvantages from oblique loads.