An implant system has the structural function of guaranteeing the optimal distribution and transmission of occlusal loads from prosthetic over-structures, to the peri-implant bone tissue, through the different implants. Therefore, the evaluation of the efficiency of prosthetic systems from a biomechanical point of view is really important.
The success or failure of an implant is related to factors of various nature: clinical, chemical and bio-chemical, or mechanical. As far as mechanical aspects are concerned non-physiological stress-strain states in the bone tissue may induce bone resorption, thus raising the risk of failure. Failure of implant components due to overloading or fatigue is reported in literature, too.
In order to asses the biomechanical performance of an implant and therefore to evaluate the risk related to the clinical practice, it is necessary to fully understand the mechanics of materials, whose basic principles are here presented.
In addition to basic principles of continuum mechanics, numerical methods are presented, paying particular attention to the Finite Element Method, which is widely used in dental biomechanics in order to evaluate the mechanical properties of complex shape structures such as prosthetic systems or anatomical sites.

 

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Load and displacement
Stress and strain
Mechanical properties of bone
Mechanical properties of Titanium

Introduction
Numerical Analysis

• Finite Element Method
• Control Volume Method

Introduction
Models
Axial Symmetrical Models
Three dimensional Models
Three Dimensional Models of an Implant System

Introduction
Numerical Model of the Casting Process

 

Glossary

 

References

 

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