Abstract:

Objective
To study the influence of different implant diameters on the implant-bone-interface stress distributions in zygomatic implant denture and illustrate the correlation between implant diameter and long-dated success rate of zygomatic implant denture. Methods Three-dimensional finite element model for maxilla and zygoma was established biomechanically in this study by spiral CT technique and finite element software technique,and zygomatic implant was simulated into the model in the first-maxillary-molar region.Zygomatic-implant-denture load cases　concerning different implant diameters（3.5,4.0 and 5.0 mm） were designed and loaded vertically,obliquely. The implant-bone-interface stress distributions were analyzed by 3-D finite element method. Results The model could be observed from any angle,and had good geometric similarity compared with CT image.Stress peak values among these load cases with different diameters were compared,the load case with 3.5 mm diameter appeared the largest stress peak value,the load case with 4.0 mm diameter appeared the larger stress peak value and the load case with 5.0 mm diameter appeared the least stress peak value.As the implant diamater increased（3.5 mm→4.0 mm→5.0 mm）,the compressive and tensive stress peak values of implant-bone interface in the maxillary alveolar ridge and the zygomatic area near maxillary sinus roof decreased gradually,the stress of implant-bone interface in the maxillary alveolar ridge was significantly larger than that of implant-bone interface in the zygoma area and compressive stress peak value was larger than tensive stress peak value.  Conclusion The implant-bone-interface stress distributions tend towards uniformity as the implant diameter increases. Select wider-diameter implant as possible as the residual bone permitted clinically.

Key words: zygoma, implant; , stress; , bone