Comparison of Biomechanical Behaviors of Different Designs and Configurations of Titanium and Zirconium Dental Implants With Finite Elements Analysis in Anterior Maxilla

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Finite element analysis assists in the understanding of the biomechanical behavior of implants with different designs and material characteristics. Through this analysis, this study aimed to compare the biomechanical behaviors of different designs and configurations of titanium (tapered or cylindric) and zirconia dental implants in the edentulous anterior maxilla. Three-dimensional models of the edentulous maxilla, dental implants, and prosthetic structures were modeled, and different loading conditions were applied to simulate realistic conditions. A total of 6 different models were evaluated: the model (M1) in which tapered implants were located bilaterally in the central canine, the model (M2) in which tapered implants were located bilaterally in the lateral canine, the model (M3) in which cylindric implants were located bilaterally in the central canine, the model (M4) in which cylindric implants were located bilaterally in the lateral canine, the model (M5) in which zirconia implants were located bilaterally in the central canine, and the model (M6) in which zirconia implants were located bilaterally in the lateral canine. Maximum tensile and compressive stress values were recorded at M4 under vertical loading and at M6 under oblique loading, whereas minimum stress values were recorded at M1 under all loading conditions. Maximum von Mises stress values under vertical and oblique loading conditions were observed at M3 and M4, while the minimum stress was observed at M1 and M2. In conclusion, zirconia implants may present a biomechanically convenient and esthetic alternative treatment option in edentulous anterior maxilla rehabilitation compared with tapered and cylindric implants.