Influence of Narrow Titanium Dental Implant Diameter on Fatigue Behavior: A Comparison between Unitary and Splinted Implants

Background: Scientific literature lacks strong support for using narrow diameter implants (NDI) in high masticatory force areas, especially in molars. Implant splinting in cases of multiple missing teeth reduces lateral forces, improves force distribution, and minimizes stress on implants. However,...

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Detalles Bibliográficos
Autores: Terrats RG, Liñares MB, Punset M, Molmeneu M, Nart Molina J, Ruíz Magaz V, Albertini M, Manero JM, Gil Mur J
Tipo de recurso: artículo
Estado:Versión publicada
Fecha de publicación:2024
País:España
Institución:Fundació Sant Joan de Déu
Repositorio:r-FSJD. Repositorio Institucional de Producción Científica de la Fundació Sant Joan de Déu
OAI Identifier:oai:fsjd.fundanetsuite.com:p26028
Acceso en línea:https://fsjd.fundanetsuite.com/Publicaciones/ProdCientif/PublicacionFrw.aspx?id=26028
Access Level:acceso abierto
Palabra clave:narrow dental implant (NDI)
unitary implants
two-splinted implants
ISO 14801
wohler S/N curves
SEM fractography
static and cyclic loading
maximum static fracture strength (Fmax)
fatigue limit (LF)
Descripción
Sumario:Background: Scientific literature lacks strong support for using narrow diameter implants (NDI) in high masticatory force areas, especially in molars. Implant splinting in cases of multiple missing teeth reduces lateral forces, improves force distribution, and minimizes stress on implants. However, no studies have evaluated the fatigue load resistance of unitary or splinted implants. Methods: This in vitro study compares five groups of new metal alloy implants, including unitary and splinted implants with varying diameters. Mechanical characterization was assessed using a BIONIX 370 testing machine (MTS, Minneapolis, MN, USA) according to ISO 14801. For each of the five study sample groups, (n = 5) specimens underwent monotonic uniaxial compression at break testing and (n = 15) cyclic loading to determine the maximum force (Fmax) and the fatigue life (LF) values. Scanning electron microscopy (SEM) was employed for the fractographic analysis of the fractured samples. Results: The Fmax values for unitary samples ranged from 196 N to 246 N, whereas the two-splinted samples displayed significantly higher values, ranging from 2439 N to 3796 N. Similarly, the LF values for unitary samples ranged from 118 N to 230 N, while the two-splinted samples exhibited notably higher values, ranging from 488 N to 759 N. Conclusions: The observed resistance difference between sample groups in terms of Fmax and LF may be due to variations in effective cross-sectional area, determined by implant diameter and number. Additionally, this disparity may indicate a potential stiffening effect resulting from the splinting process. These findings have significant implications for dental clinical practice, suggesting the potential use of splinted sets of small-sized NDI as replacements for posterior dentition (premolars and molars) in cases of alveolar bone ridge deficiencies.