Stress Analysis of Magnet-Retained Mini-Implant Overdenture：InVitro Study

Abstract

The purpose of this study was to evaluate stress analysis of a magnet-retained mini-implant overdenture on an in vitro mandibular model. Mini implants less than 3.0 mm in diameter have been used as not only provisional use, but also permanent use to support overdentures.
Four mini implants (MagDen Fixture MFI4010RF, Shinwon Dental, Seoul, Korea) were placed in edentulous regions between bilateral canines in an acrylic resin mandibular model and the abutments (MagDen Keeper MFK4020, Shinwon Dental, Seoul, Korea) for magnet attachments were used. Seven strain gauges were attached on the resin surface around the right side of two mini implants. The surface of the model was covered with silicone impression material to simulate oral mucosa and an experimental complete denture was placed on the model. A vertical force of 50 N was applied to either one of the premolar, first molar and second molar of the experimental denture using a universal testing machine.
When four mini implants were supported, compressive strains were caused at the lingual side of the distal mini implant. The more posterior the loading point was, the lower the strain around the implant was generally. Although tensile strain was caused at the buccal side of the mesial mini implant, it decreased at the moment when compressive strain arose. When four implants were supported, the strain around the mini implants was distributed more evenly than those in the two implant-supported ones. The influence of implant positioning was examined by removing either two mesial or two distal attachments in the four mini implants. The maximum strain in two mesial implant-supported attachments was smaller than that in two distal implant-supported attachments.