Finite element analysis of the stress-concentrating effect of fraenal notches in complete dentures.

Based on clinical experience and empiricism, it was postulated that fraenal notches and midline diastemas lead to fracture of complete dentures. This study used finite element stress analysis to investigate the stress-concentrating effect of a fraenal notch with and without a midline diastema. It was found that a large fraenal notch resulted in high stress levels and that these stresses were augmented more by a narrow median diastema than its wider counterpart.