INFLUENCE OF IMPLANT HEIGHT ON PERI-IMPLANT BONE STRAINS IN 2-IMPLANT-RETAINED MANDIBULAR OVERDENTURES WITH LOCATOR ATTACHMENTS: AN IN VITRO STUDY

Abstract

This study aimed to investigate the influence of implant height on peri-implant bone strain in 2-implant-retained mandibular overdentures using the LOCATOR attachment system. Two implants were placed in the canine regions of a mandibular model, divided into three groups based on implant depth. The right implant was placed at the bone crest in all groups, while the left implant was placed at the bone crest (Model 1), 2 mm subcrestally (Model 2), and 4 mm subcrestally (Model 3). Attachment heights (2, 4, and 6 mm) were selected to align all attachment heads at the same vertical level. A bilateral static load of 0-100 N was applied to the first molars, and bone strains were recorded using strain gauges and analyzed with two-way mixed ANOVA at a significance level of.05. The results showed that as the left implant depth increased, peri-implant bone strain on the left side also increased. No significant differences were found between Model 1 and Model 2, nor between the left and right sides within these models. However, Model 3 exhibited significantly higher strain on the left side compared to the right side and Models 1 and 2 (p <.05). This study concludes that different implant depths affect peri-implant bone strain. While a height discrepancy of up to 2 mm maintains balanced strain distribution, a 4-mm difference leads to a marked accumulation of strain on the deeper implant side.

Keywords: Biomechanics, Dental Implant, Mandibular Overdenture, LOCATOR