Effect of Endosseous Implants on the Impact Fracture Strength of the Edentulous Mandible

Abstract

Static load tests and impact fracture tests were carried out on edentulous mandibles to evaluate the effect of drill hole preparations made in the bone for implant fixtures. Deformation was measured in the mandibles with strain gauges before the drill holes were made, after monocortical preparation of the bone, after bicortical preparation, and after the Brånemark implant fixtures were tightened into the preparations.
Compared with the monocortical implant preparation, the bicortical preparation produced greater deterioration in the resistance of the mandible to external forces, and greater loss in impact fracture strength. However, there was a slight improvement in the strength of the mandibles after acquisition of osseointegration.