Comparative analysis of occlusal stresses on bone around natural teeth, platform matched and switched implants abutments: a finite element study.

Occlusal stresses on the tooth and implant are critical in determining their prognosis. When the abutment and implant collar have different diameters, the occlusal stresses are transmitted to the implant's central axis, reducing their impact on the tissue surrounding it.The objectives of this study was to use finite element analysis (FEA) to study the effect of occlusal pressures on the bone surrounding natural teeth and implants fitted with platform-matched and platform-switched abutments. Three models were developed: Model 1 representing a normal tooth, Model 2 represents an implant with a platform-matched abutment, and Model 3 represents an implant with a platform-switched abutment. Each model received a 100 N perpendicular concentrated load, and the resulting Von Mises stress distribution was evaluated. The results showed that occlusal stresses on implants were much higher than those on natural teeth, with platform-matched implants having the greatest stress values. Platform-switched implants transmitted less stress to the peri-implant bone than platform-matched implants, indicating that platform switching decreases occlusal pressures while preserving peri-implant bone levels. The study indicated that platform-switched abutments may extend the life of osseointegrated implants by reducing bone stress, while simultaneously emphasizing the protective role of the periodontal ligament in natural teeth.