IMPACT OF IMPLANT-RETAINED MANDIBULAR OVERDENURE ON ORAL MUCOSA – A FINITE ELEMENT ANALYSIS

Abstract

Aim of the study This study aims to analyze the impact that the mandibular overdenture has on the underlying oral mucosa from the perspective of number of implants used in retention of the overdenture. Material and methods A 3D model of a mandible with total edentation was derived from CBCT images, containing cortical and cancellous bone tissue layers. Over the alveolar bone ridge, the oral mucosa was modeled with a 2 mm thickness. The overdenture was retained using 2, 4, 6 and 8 implants in various positions. Loading was applied using muscle forces and boundary conditions that mimic physiological mastication loading. Results and discussions Strain and stress values overall increased when using more implants to retain the overdenture. Values exhibited the same pattern in both of the mandibular quadrants. Conclusions Although the 2 and 4 IOD led to a decrease of stress and strain levels, it is not necessarily the most favorable option as these also lead to a higher degree of mobility in the overdenture. The aim is to obtain an optimal balance between retention, deformation and displacement of the overdenture and the strain resulted in the soft tissues. There is a need for clinical studies that could determine optimal strain intervals.

Keywords

• fea
• number of implants
• oral mucosa
• overdenture