Evaluation of the mechanical characteristics of the implant-abutment complex of a reduced-diameter morse-taper implant. A nonlinear finite element stress analysis.

The purpose of this study was to evaluate the mechanical characteristics of the implant-abutment connection of a reduced-diameter ITI dental implant. A finite element model of a slashed circle 3.3 mm x 10 mm ITI solid-screw implant and a 6 degrees solid abutment 4 mm in height was constructed, and the implant-abutment complex was embedded vertically in the center of a slashed circle 1.5 cm x 1.5 cm acrylic cylinder. Static vertical and oblique loads of 300 N were applied in separate load cases. The contact area was defined between the implant-abutment connection and nonlinear finite element stress analysis was performed. The magnitude and distribution of Von Mises stresses and displacement characteristics were evaluated. In vertical loading, Von Mises stresses concentrated around the implant-abutment connection at the stem of the screw and around the implant collar. Oblique loading resulted in a 2-fold increase in stresses at the implant collar, which was close to the yield strength of titanium. Displacement values under both loading conditions were negligible. We conclude that, in a reduced-diameter ITI dental implant, vertical and oblique loads are resisted mainly by the implant-abutment joint at the screw level and by the implant collar. The neck of this implant is a potential zone for fracture when subjected to high bending forces. The reduced-diameter ITI dental implant might benefit from reinforcement of this region.