Effects of different cantilever design and supports on stress distribution in cantilever fixed partial dentures: A finite element analysis

In the treatment of single-sided open-ended edentualism, fixed cantilever bridges within the shortened dental arch concept are preferred by patients instead of removable partial dentures. Wide spread use of dental implants has opened up new routes for dentists as alternatives for treating such conditions. The aim was to evaluate a number of cantilever bridges with various support combinations in these conditions.In this research Abaqus FEA program was used and 12 different combinations were evaluated with nonlinear finite element analysis by means of a computerized 3D mandible model. In the analysis of 3 element cantilever bridges, two natural teeth supports, two implant supports and natural tooth-implant combinations were used together with premolar and molar pontic morphologies.It was found that the mechanical stress build-up was concentrated on the connectors between the pontic and the abutment teeth irrespective of the type of the components. In addition, increasing the pontic size resulted in higher stress levels on the support sites. The level of stress increased from two implant, to implant-natural tooth, to two natural teeth supports respectively.