AccScience Publishing / IJB / Online First / DOI: 10.36922/ijb.3943
RESEARCH ARTICLE
Early Access

Biomechanical analysis of partial mandibular implant with various level of material properties by different shapes, sizes, and rod diameter of lattice designs: In-vitro experiment and finite element simulation

Hao Zhang1 Lih Jyh Fuh1,2 Jui Ting Hsu3 Zhe Min Lim1 Heng Li Huang1,4*
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1 School of Dentistry, China Medical University, Taichung, Taiwan.
2 Department of Dentistry, China Medical University Hospital, Taichung, Taiwan.
3 Department of Biomedical Engineering, China Medical University, Taichung, Taiwan.
4 Department of Bioinformatics and Medical Engineering, Asia University, Taichung, Taiwan.
Submitted: 14 June 2024 | Accepted: 2 September 2024 | Published: 2 September 2024
© 2024 by the Author(s). This article is an open access article distributed under the terms and conditions of the Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License ( https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/ )
Abstract

For patients with mandibular bone defects, although reconstruction plates can be used for repair, achieving both occlusal function and facial aesthetics is challenging. In the present study, in vitro experiments and finite element analysis (FEA) were conducted to determine the biomechanical characteristics of multiple porous lattice structures of varying shapes and diameters that were used for mandibular implants. Additionally, an abutment designed to carry occlusal forces was added to the tops of the implants. The stress distribution of four lattice designs (Tetrahedron, Quad-diametral-cross, Hex-star, and Hex-vase) of three sizes (2.5, 3.0, and 3.5 mm) in cubic porous models were analysed by FEA. Subsequently, two optimal designs for 3D-printed titanium alloy were selected. These designs, featuring different lattice diameters (0.5, 0.7, and 0.9 mm), were tested to determine their elastic modulus. These elastic modulus were used in another FEA of a mandibular implant designed for a patient with a malignant tumor in the right mandible. This model, which included an abutment design, was subjected to a vertical force of 100 N and muscle forces generated by biting. This analysis was conducted to determine the elastic modulus of the implant and the values of stress and strain on the implant and surrounding bone. The lattice designs of Quad-diametral-cross and Hex-vase exhibited smaller high-stress regions than those of Tetrahedron and Hex-star did. In vitro tests revealed that the elastic modulus of the lattices increased with the rod diameter. When these values were applied in mandibular implants, Young’s modulus decreased, which in turn increased the frictional stress observed at the interface between the abutment and the implant. However, the implant’s maximum stress remained below its yield strength (910 MPa), and the strain on the surrounding bone varied between 1500 and 3000 µstrain. As indicated by Frost’s theory, these implants are unlikely to damage the surrounding bone tissue and are likely to support bone growth. In conclusion, the lattice designs of Quad-diametral-cross and Hex-vase have small high-stress regions for mandibular implants. Increasing the diameter of the lattice rods increases Young’s modulus, which in turn reduces the frictional stress between the abutment and the implant. Even when the highest Young’s modulus is reached, the stress on the implant remains below its yield strength, and the bone strain remains within the range of 1500 to 3000 µstrain.

Keywords
Mandibular segmental resection
Porous lattice design
Lattice size
Rod diameter
Mandibular implant
Abutment
In vitro experiment
Finite element analysis
Funding
This study was supported by the Ministry of Science and Technology (Taiwan) (Project No. MOST 111-2221-E-039-008-MY2).
Conflict of interest
All authors declare that they have no conflict of interest.
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International Journal of Bioprinting, Electronic ISSN: 2424-8002 Print ISSN: 2424-7723, Published by AccScience Publishing