The effect of abutment material stiffness on the mechanical behavior of dental implant assemblies: A 3D finite element study

Purpose: This study aimed to evaluate the stress distribution and microgap formation in implant assemblies with conical abutments made of different materials under an oblique load. Materials and methods: The mechanical behavior of an implant assembly with a titanium abutment was analyzed and compared with that of an assembly with a Y-TZP abutment using finite element analysis (FEA). A torque of 20 Ncm was first applied to the abutment screw, followed by oblique loads of 10 N–280 N applied to the prosthesis placed on the implant. The maximum stress in the abutment screw, the microgap formation process, and the critical load for bridging the internal implant space were evaluated. Results: No significant difference in stress distribution between the two cases was observed, with the stresses being mainly concentrated at the top half of the screw (the predicted maximum von Mises stress was approximately 1200 MPa at 280 N). The area in contact at the implant-to-abutment interface decreased with increasing load for both abutments, with the critical load for bridging the internal implant space being roughly 140 N. The maximum gap size being was approximately 470 μm with either abutment. Conclusion: There was no significant difference in the stress distribution or microgap formed between implant assemblies with titanium and Y-TZP abutments having an internal conical connection.