Use of zirconia implant and connector in the treatment of maxillary lateral incisor agenesis: finite element analysis

• Grant number: 23/07312-0
• Support Opportunities: Scholarships in Brazil - Scientific Initiation
• Start date: September 01, 2023
• End date: August 31, 2024
• Field of knowledge: Health Sciences - Dentistry - Dental Materials
• Principal Investigator: Josete Barbosa Cruz Meira
• Grantee: Leonardo Folmer Rodrigues da Silva
• Host Institution: Faculdade de Odontologia (FO). Universidade de São Paulo (USP). São Paulo , SP, Brazil

Abstract

Upper lateral agenesis is a common congenital dental condition that presents significant aesthetic and functional challenges in the affected region. Among the treatment options available, the installation of an implant-supported crown is considered. However, achieving satisfactory aesthetics can be challenging with traditional implants and connectors due to the limited buccopalatal thickness of the alveolar process.In such cases, narrow implants (3 mm in diameter) combined with hybrid connectors (titanium base coated with zirconia) or zirconia implants and connectors have been recommended. The objective of this project is to evaluate the risk of fracture in zirconia connectors and implants, as well as the risk of marginal bone loss in cases of crown placement on implants in the lateral incisor region, using finite element analysis.The study will simulate two maxillary segments in the upper lateral incisor region: a control group (C) with normal bone dimensions, and an atresic group (A) representing dimensions compatible with lateral agenesis cases. For both groups (C and A), three implant systems will be examined: TT - Titanium implant and Titanium connector; TH - Titanium implant and Hybrid connector with a customized zirconia sleeve on a titanium base; Grupo ZZ - Zirconia implant and Zirconia connector.The risk of implant and connector fracture will be analyzed based on the distribution of maximum principal stress (for zirconia) or Von-Mises stress (for titanium). Furthermore, the risk of marginal bone loss will be evaluated by analyzing the distribution of strain energy density (SED).