Finite element analysis of individualized magnesium alloy meshes with different thickness

Abstract

Objective To investigate the stress-strain distribution of magnesium alloy meshes with different thickness during bone healing by three-dimensional finite element analysis in order to provide a reference for the design of personalized magnesium alloy mesh. Methods After the cone-beam computed tomography (CBCT) data of a patient with tooth loss of C2-D2 and large alveolar defect were extracted, three-dimensional reconstruction was performed on the bone defect area. Three-dimensional finite element models of bone implant material and magnesium alloy meshes with different thickness were designed, and their stress-strain distributions were analyzed. Results The strain and stress showed a decreasing trend with the increase of the thickness of magnesium alloy mesh. During the process of bone healing, the stress of the bone implant material was gradually increased while the strain was gradually decreased. The strain of immature and mature bone was less than the strain at break. The stress was decreased first and then increased in the degradation of magnesium alloy mesh. Conclusion Magnesium alloy mesh of 0.3 and 0.4 mm thickness can only bear a small load, and can't meet the need of large area guided bone regeneration (GBR). The maximum equivalent stress of 0.5 mm-thickness magnesium alloy mesh is within the safe range, and the mesh has enough strength in the process of degradation, and can guide good bone healing and meet the clinical needs of GBR.

Keywords

• three-dimensional finite element analysis
• ndividualized magnesium alloy mesh
• guided bone regeneration