• Journal of the Korean Society for Precision Engineering
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• v.25 no.2
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• pp.148-155
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• 2008

The aim of the study is to interpret the distribution of occlusal force by 3-dimensional finite element analysis of ISP(Implant Supported Prosthesis) supported by minimum number of implant to restore the edentulous patients. For this study, the Astra Tech implant system is used. Geometric modeling for 6 and 4 fixture ISP group is performed with respect to the bone, implant and one piece superstructure, respectively. Implants are arbitrarily placed according to the anatomical limit of lower jaw and for the favorable distribution of occlusal force, which is applied at the end of cantilever extension of ISP with 30mm. Element type is tetrahedral for finite element model and the typical mechanical properties, Young's modulus and Poisson's ratio of each material, cortical, cancellous bone and implant material are utilized for the finite element analysis. From this study, we can see the distribution of equivalent stress equal to real situation and speculate the difference in the stress distribution in the whole model and at each implant fixture, From the analysis, the area of maximum stress is distributed on distal contact area between bone and fixture in the crestal bone. The maximum stress is 53MPa at the 0.2mm area from the bone-implant interface in the maximum side for 300N load condition for 4 fixture case, which is slightly less than the stress calculated from allowable strain. This stress has not been deduced to directly cause the loss of crestal bone around implant fixture, but the stress can be much reduced as the old peoples may have lower chewing force. Thus, clinical trial may be performed with this treatment protocol to use 4 fixtured ISP for old patients.