Abstract
The purpose of this study is to reveal the most practical, effective shock-absorbing structure for dental implants. First, I studied the mechanical properties, imperviousness to water and endurance of polyurethane used as absorbing materials.
Next, I measured the displacement characteristic, the impact force response and the impact acceleration response of clinically applicable absorbing structures-the superstructure (hard resin), inside the superstructure (polyurethane), and in the tooth root (polyurethane, sillicone)- and their absorbing effects.
As a result,
1. Polycarbonate type polyurethane was excellent in mechanical strength, elasticity, imperviousness to water, and endurance and proved to be an appropriate absorbing material.
2. The displacement of the absorbing structure in the tooth root using polycarbonate type polyurethane was approximate to that of a natural tooth, and its shock-absorbing effect was the highest.
The above results suggested that the method of placing an absorbing structure in the root of dental implants was a practical as well as effective method, which provided displacement similar to that of a natural tooth and provided an efficient impact-absorbing effect.
