Effect of cantilever length and inclined implants on axial force and bending moment in implant-supported fixed prostheses

• Published in: Revista odonto ciência 2009-04, Vol.24 (2)
• Main Authors: Geremia, Tomás, Michelon Naconecy, Marcos, Cervieri, André, André Mezzomo, Luís, Sadami Arai Shinkai, Rosemary
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• ISSN: 0102-9460; 1980-6523

Purpose: To assess the magnitude and distribution of axial forces and bending moments in abutments as a function of cantilever length and inclination of implants. Methods: Ten metallic bars simulated frameworks of fixed implant-supported prosthesis over two master models with five implants: one with all implants straight and parallel (n=5) and one with the two distal implants tilted (n=5). Strain gauges were fixed on abutments to measure deformation when a 50N-load was applied on the cantilever at 10, 15, and 20 mm-distance from the distal abutment. Deformation values were transformed into axial force and bending moment and analyzed by ANOVA and Tukey test (? = 5%). Results: Comparing 10 mm- to 20 mm-cantilever, there was an increase of approximately 50% for axial force and of 70% for saggital bending moment. On the abutment adjacent to the cantilever, the axial force in the inclined model was 70% lower than in the straight model, and bending moments did not vary. Conclusion: The results suggest that the inclination of distal implants does not have any deleterious biomechanical effect on abutments of the tested models and may reduce the cantilever effect on force magnitude.