A THREE DIMENSIONAL FINITE ELEMENT STRESS ANALYSIS ON THE FORCE DISTRIBUTION BY DISTAL EXTENSION PARTIAL DENTURES EMPLOYING ATTACHMENTS

Shin, Sang Wan; Ahn, Won Jun; Jung, Yeon Jin; Lee, Young Soo; Shim, Kwang Sup; Yoo, Kwang Hee

Abstract

Although attachments have been utilized for a retainer of removable prostheses during several decades, there is little information on the force distribution by the attachments. This study was undertaken to evaluate the stress patterns developed by partial dentures employing rigid attachments on the supporting structures. Four types of the mandibular removable partial dentures were designed depending upon the position of the rigid attachment and the existency of lingual bracing. Under 100N of vertical and 25N of lateral loads on the 1st and 2nd lower molar of partial denture, stress distribution patterns and displacement were analysed with three dimensional finite element method by ANSYS version 5.3. 1. The highest stresses were concentrated on the distal alveolar crest of posterior abutment and the second stresses on the apical region of posterior abutment in the models. 2. The greatest displacement were shown on the distal alveolar crest of posterior abutment and the second displacement on the distal alveolar crest of anterior abutment in the models. 3. There was little difference between the models with intraoral attachment and those with extracoronal attachment. 4. There was little difference between the models with and without the lingual bracing.