Effects of implant buccal distance on peri-implant strain: A Micro-CT based finite element analysis

Bone-implant mechanics is one of the factors that contribute to implant stability and success. In this work, voxel-based finite element models were built based on the micro-CT images of human cadaveric mandible specimens before and after implant placement. The computed results show high strain at the bone-implant contact locations and the buccal and lingual bone plates. The strain concentration in the thinner buccal plates was more substantial than that in the thicker lingual plates. The average values of maximum principal strain in the buccal and lingual ROIs were in good agreement with those measured using mechanical testing coupled with micro-CT and digital volume correlation. The implant position was then virtually changed in the models to be placed lingually or buccally. The computed strain in the buccal bone decreased when the implant was placed away from the buccal plate. The strain in lingual bone also deceased when the implant was moved from the center of the alveolar socket towards the lingual or buccal plate. The results indicate that the distance from implant to the buccal plate can affect the mechanical stimuli in bone, especially in the buccal plate, which may subsequently affect the bone remodeling process and buccal bone resorption.