Experimental Analysis of Deformations in Artificial Jaw Bone by Means of an Interferometry Technique

The present work studied experimental results obtained on an artificial mandibular bone in according to tests carried out on live animals. In particular, in order to consider the dynamic response of an implant bridge caused by occlusion, the deformation of the bridge and the near mandible subjected to occlusional force was measured by holographic interferometry. An experimental specimen was built for the above purpose and a screw type ceramic implant was placed in the site of the second molar. An implant bridge was then fabricated between the implant and the first and second premolars that were splinted together. Stress concentration was found on the mesial side of the pontic when the vertical load was applied to the second premolar. The results also show that by applying the load to its mesial side, the mandible near the implant receives considerable stress and of course damages such as bone resorption can be expected on the mandible. The principal strains on the surface of the mandibular bone were tensile and compressive strains from anteroinferior to posterosuperior and a compressive strain from anterosuperior to posteroinferior.