Designing Novel Endodontic Implants and Evaluation of the Stress Distribution in Maxillary Anteriors Using Finite Element Analysis

TL;DR

This study designs new endodontic implants and uses computer modeling to evaluate how stress is distributed in maxillary incisors.

Contribution

The novel endodontic implant designs are evaluated using finite element analysis to improve clinical outcomes.

Findings

Stress distribution in novel implants was comparable to intact teeth, with no catastrophic failure at critical interfaces.

Model 1 showed the lowest maximum stress deformation among the tested designs.

The new implant designs may prevent tooth loss in trauma cases with poor prognosis.

Abstract

Introduction

Endodontic implants, or didontic implants, offer a promising solution for stabilizing compromised teeth with a guarded prognosis and prolonging their clinical survival rate. Despite their potential benefits, they retired out of practice due to failures that arose from the lack of a biocompatible seal and engaging in dentin. Novel designs, based on evidence-based research with the help of bioceramics, present an opportunity to overcome these challenges and hence, enhance the clinical efficacy of endodontic implants. Thus the aim of this study is to design novel endodontic implants and evaluate their stress distribution in maxillary incisors using finite element analysis (FEA).

Materials and methodology

FEA is a biomechanical study to assess the stress distribution and extent of displacement to assess the clinical efficacy of novel endodontic implants in maxillary anterior teeth. Three 3D models (Model 1, Model 2, and Model 3) are designed to be meshed, and material elastic properties of the tooth and periapical tissues are applied. Boundary conditions were established, and a constant axial load value of 600 N was applied at a 45° angle. The FEA analysis was done under the loading conditions to assess the stress patterns for the three 3D models in comparison to the intact tooth on the ANSYS software (ANSYS Inc, Pennsylvania).

Results

FEA simulations revealed the distribution of stress within the tooth structure under functional occlusal forces, as Von Misses stresses were analyzed to assess the likelihood of material yielding and failure, which was comparable to that of an intact tooth. The maximum stress of deformation was as follows: intact: 1.7589e-5 MAX; Model 1: 3.3804e-6 MAX; Model 2: 2.638e-5 MAX; and Model 3: 2.1986e-5 MAX. The area of stress concentrations did not occur at the interface of the coronal or apical seal, which prevented catastrophic failures.

Conclusion

By leveraging advanced design principles and materials, these implants offer a promising alternative to traditional approaches, particularly in trauma cases with a poor prognosis for the survival of the teeth leading to loss of tooth. Further clinical studies are warranted to validate the efficacy and long-term success of these novel endodontic implants in diverse patient populations.

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