Context: The ability of implant dentistry to be a successful alternative for edentulous patients has increased in the last decade. Clinical features such as osseointegration and stability, in addition to the endurance of the integration urged the researchers towards a better understanding of the design parameters that control long term success of the implants. It is therefore necessary to quantify the effect of changing implant design parameters on interface stress distribution within the maxilla bone. Methods and Materials: A 3D-finite element study was conducted to investigate the effect of changing implant shape parameters (implant body design and implant thread depth) on stress distribution while insertion of the implant in two different regions of maxilla bone (anterior (type III bone) and posterior (type IV bone)). A 3D-CAD geometry of implant-maxilla bone was created through importing digitally visualized CT skull images of a human adult, and then converted into a workable solid body through using a collection of engineering software. Tapered and cylindrical implant models with three different implant V-shaped thread depths (0.25 mm, 0.35 mm, 0.45 mm) were threaded into maxilla bone to investigate the design parameters effect on the final stress status. The proposed implant was of commercial dimensions of 10 mm length and 4 mm in diameter. A vertical static load of 250N was directly applied to the center of the suprastructure of the implant for each model. Results: Evaluations were performed for stress distribution patterns and maximum equivalent Von Mises (EQV) stresses for implants in two regions of maxilla bone under 250N vertical static loading. The obtained results throughout this work showed that, for all models, the highest stresses were located at the crestal cortical bone around the implant neck. The von-Mises stress distribution patterns at different models were similar and higher peak von-Mises stresses of cortical bone were seen in tapered implant body compared to cylinder body in all models. Conclusions: Within the restrictions of the current model, the results obtained can be applied clinically to select properly both implant thread depth and body shape design for a foreseeable success of implant therapy.
