Abstract
Distal-extension removable partial denture tends to rotate about its most distal abutments, including heavy torsional stress on. Therefore, it is important to recognize the stress distribution to supporting tissues. The purpose of this study is to analyze the stress distribution to abutments, periodontal membranes, and bone supporting removable partial dentures of rigid and non-rigid connection. Finite element method was used to analyze. In this analysis, “joint element” was used in order to simulate the conditions of the contact area between two objects.
The stress and the displacement of supporting tissues when the load was provided on artificial teeth were calculated.
The results of this analysis were followings.
1. The most distal abutment was bended to distal direction by the load.
2. The stress distribution to supporting tissues on rigid connection type was less than on non-rigid connection type.
