Influence of prosthesis material on stress distribution in bone and implant: A 3-dimensional finite element analysis

A 3-dimensional finite element analysis was conducted to assess stress dist ribution in bone, implant, and abutment when gold alloy, porcelain, or resi n (acrylic or composite) was used for a 3-unit prosthesis. A unit force was applied axially and then buccolingually to the center of the pontic. For g old and porcelain, similar maximum equivalent stress was found in each part of the models. In almost all cases, stress in the model with the resin pro stheses was similar to or higher than that in the models with the other 2 p rosthesis materials. The highest increase in stress with the resins was fou nd in the implant-abutment unit under axial load. The protective role of re sin for the implant-bone interface could not be demonstrated under the cond itions of this analysis. (INT J Oral Maxillofac Implants 1998;13:781-790).