FIXTURE DIAMETER INFLUENCE ON BIOMECHANICAL PERFORMANCE OF DENTAL IMPLANT ABUTMENT AND SCREW: A 3D FEA STUDY

Abstract

Dental implant stability hinges on fixture design, particularly diameter, influencing biomechanical performance. This study evaluates the impact of fixture diameter on von Mises stress, strain, and factor of safety in the abutment and screw of posterior dental implants using finite element analysis. A three-dimensional model of a mandibular first molar implant was developed with fixture diameters of 3.75, 4.0, and 5.0 millimeters, using Ti-6Al-4V and static loading simulating maximum voluntary clenching (177.38 N). Results show that the 5.0-millimeter diameter with a wider abutment reduces stress by 23.7 percent in the abutment and 33.9 percent in the screw, strain by 23.7 and 33.1 percent, respectively, and improves factor of safety, compared to 3.75 millimeters. The 5.0-millimeter diameter optimizes biomechanical stability, enhancing long-term implant success in posterior mandibular applications.