Implant-bone interface characteristics of bioglass dental implants.

Three-dimensional finite element analysis (FEA) has been used to determine the implant-bone interface characteristics of bioglass dental implants. The results of the FEA were verified by comparison with the results of mechanical testing performed on animal implant specimens. The results of the study showed that the assumption of a discontinuous change of elastic properties at the bone-implant interface was a poor assumption for the bioglass implants. Interface elastic moduli of 354.0, 155.0, and 47.0 MPa for conditions of 25, 50, and 100% tissue attachment were determined for the bioglass implants.