2012 Volume 35 Issue 2 Pages 71-76
The purpose of this study was to investigate the effects of loading positions on the stress distributions in the bone portion around two connected craniofacial osseointegrated implants （COIs）.
A three-dimensional finite element model of two COIs with abutments inserted in the bone portion was created. The abutments were connected by the superstructure, and an extension bar was added. A static load （10N） was applied on the top surface of the superstructure at the midpoint between the COIs （load position ①）, the center of a COI （load position ②）, the midpoint of the extension beam （load position ③） or the end point of the extension beam （load position ④） in the direction of 0°, 30°, 60° or 90° to the long axis of COIs, respectively.
The maximum von Mises stress in the bone portion increased when the load position shifted from ① to ④, and when the load direction tilted to the long axis of the COIs. These results suggested that the load should be applied between the connected COIs, and as parallel to the long axis of COIs as possible.
