有限元分析显微镜下不同比例髓核摘除后的腰椎力学特征

背景：国内腰椎髓核摘除后有限元模型多是建立在正常椎体模型的基础上,去除了完整的髓核组织,但是没有考虑到实际手术过程中髓核只是部分摘除以及椎板开窗同时对脊柱力学产生的影响。 目的：精确建立腰椎L4/5节段显微镜辅助下不同比例髓核摘除模型,比较髓核摘除前后的力学特征。 方法：选择1例腰间盘突出症患者,获取术前CT数据构建有限元模型并验证其有效性,再获取术后CT数据并构建显微镜辅助下椎板单纯开窗、开窗+髓核摘除1/3及开窗+髓核全部摘除共4种模型,给予特定加载条件下比较其在前屈、后伸、左右侧弯、左右旋转6种载荷下的生物力学特征。 结果与结论：精确构建了显微镜下不同比例髓核摘除后腰椎的有限元模型。通过力学特征分析得知,显微镜下不同比例髓核摘除后腰椎在屈伸状态下的稳定性明显降低,应力趋向关节突、椎板峡部等后柱结构集中,在屈伸及椎板开窗对侧弯曲活动时影响较大,髓核摘除程度与其影响有关。中国组织工程研究杂志出版内容重点：人工关节;骨植入物;脊柱;骨折;内固定;数字化骨科;组织工程全文链接：     

椎板不同切除范围对腰椎生物力学影响的有限元分析

建立全腰椎有限元模型,模拟三种后路手术方式,分析不同椎板切除范围对腰椎生物力学的影响。综合利用三维重建自编软件和Hyper Mesh软件,建立腰椎(L1-L5)有限元模型并与前人所作体外实验数据比较,验证本模型的有效性。在此基础上模拟全椎板切除、半椎板切除及椎板开窗减压术,比较减压节段的运动范围及相应椎间盘的应力改变。L3-4、L4-5节段后部结构切除后,腰椎运动范围与椎板切除大小成正比,纤维环应力最大变化发生在前屈、后伸和左右旋转运动时,而在侧屈运动时无明显的变化。腰椎运动范围的增加与腰椎后部结构的切除程度有关。在彻底减压的同时,最大程度的保留腰椎后部结构,可以减小术后椎间盘应力,减轻关节突等结构的进一步退变。     

椎间盘髓核摘除对腰椎间小关节承载功能影响的实验研究

目的分析椎间盘髓核摘除后腰椎小关节受力大小及变化情况。方法采用8具新鲜脊柱腰骶段(L1~S1)标本,在MTS系统上用压敏片分别测量L3-L4、L4-L5两个节段小关节面在中立位和前屈、后伸位时受力大小;摘除L4-L5椎间盘髓核,重复测量。结果完整脊柱标本中,L4-L5与L3-L4节段关节面受力大小相似:中立位时受力占轴向压缩载荷的15%;前屈10°、20°时受力占压缩载荷的比例减为9%、5%;后伸10°、20°时受力占压缩载荷的比例增至23%、33%。L4-L5椎间盘髓核摘除后,L4-L5节段小关节面在各个运动状态下受力均显著增大,而L3-L4节段小关节受力也有增加的趋势。结论腰椎小关节有一定的承载功能。腰椎间盘切除术后,同一平面及相邻平面小关节受力增加,可能引发腰痛。     

不同单节段颈椎前路椎间融合系统对邻近节段的生物力学影响

目的对比Zero-P零切迹颈椎前路椎间融合固定系统和Cage-Plate融合系统对相邻节段的生物力学影响,为单节段颈椎病的治疗远期临床疗效提供参考。方法选择正常人CT扫描数据建立颈椎C1~7有限元模型,在验证模型的有效性后,分别建立在颈椎C5~6植入Zero-P和Cage-Plate融合系统的有限元模型。分别加载1.5 N·m扭矩模拟颈椎前屈、后伸、侧弯和旋转运动,对比正常情况下颈椎和分别植入Zero-P与Cage-Plate融合系统后相邻节段活动范围(range of motion,ROM)变化和椎间盘髓核、纤维环、终板及小关节上的应力。结果两种颈椎融合器植入后,C4~5椎间ROM增大20%,但C6~7椎间ROM增大120%,C4~5、C6~7髓核上的应力分别增大78%、110%,相邻节段终板和纤维环上的应力均有所增大。结论 Cage-Plate和Zero-P融合系统植入后均会引起相邻节段ROM增大,以及相邻椎间盘髓核、纤维环和小关节上应力增大,长远上会引起邻近节段的病变。但Cage-Plate和Zero-P融合系统对邻近节段的生物力学影响没有本质区别。     

青少年正常腰椎与腰椎间盘突出症关节突关节有限元分析

目的 探讨13～18岁正常与青少年腰椎间盘突出症(ALDH)关节突关节不对称对腰椎生物力学的影响。方法 联合应用软件MIMICS 21.0、3-Matic Medical 13.0、Geomagic Wrap 2017、HYPERMES 2019和有限元软件ABAQUS 2021建立下腰椎正常与ALDH三维有限元模型,根据关节突关节左右之差,选择13～18岁正常青少年和ALDH患者资料各3例,共计6例,分析比较施加不同力矩载荷下(中立位、侧屈和旋转工况)椎间盘应力大小。结果 1.建立6例男性正常与ALDH患者的L₃～L₅节段三维有限元模型,获得中立位、前屈、后伸、侧屈和旋转工况正常与ALDH应力、位移云图;2.正常青少年关节突关节角左右对称在中立位时,L_4～5纤维环后侧应力增大;3.不同工况下,椎间盘应力纤维环均大于髓核,纤维环应力前屈>中立位>后伸;4. ALDH患者下腰椎关节突关节左侧大于右侧10°模型,后伸工况L_4～5节段纤维环后侧应力明显增大。侧屈工况下,左侧屈纤维环左侧应力与右...     

后纵韧带硬化对颈椎力学影响的三维有限元分析

目的利用三维有限元分析探讨后纵韧带(posterior longitudinal ligament,PLL)硬化后对颈椎生物力学的影响,分析探讨其可能引起的颈部稳定性改变。方法对1位健康成年男性进行颈部CT及MR扫描,获取C1—C7节段的断层图片,采用MIMICS(Version 12)软件对颈椎图像进行三维重建,用HYPERMESH 10.0软件对三维几何进行网格划分,后处理计算软件为LS-DYNA3D 971。模型开发和模拟计算在Dell Power Edge 12G M420刀片式服务器上进行,并固定C7,对C1进行前屈、仰伸及轴向旋转运动,加载力矩为3 N·m。比较在前屈、仰伸及旋转运动下,正常以及PLL硬化后颈椎有限元模型的生物力学改变对颈部稳定性的影响。结果颈椎前屈运动中,PLL硬化后椎间盘纤维环最大应力减小6%。颈椎仰伸运动中,PLL硬化后髓核最大应力降低约11%,椎小关节最大应力增大约15.7%。颈椎旋转运动中,PLL硬化椎间盘纤维环最大应力降低24%,最大应力集中在C4/5纤维环旋转方向侧;髓核最大应力降低25%,且最大应力位置由C2/3髓核上方下移至C6/7髓核下方;椎小关节最大应力下降10%。结论 PLL硬化后,前屈及旋转运动使PLL承载更多的力,可能加重已有病变或引起继发损伤;仰伸运动会使最大受力部位转移到椎小关节,导致继发性椎小关节损伤的可能性增加。     

保留后部韧带复合体结构对腰椎减压融合术后相邻节段生物力学特性的影响

目的比较人体腰椎标本保留后部韧带复合体(posterior ligament complex,PLC)结构在位移及载荷两种不同加载模式下对腰椎减压融合术后相邻节段生物力学特性的影响。方法 6具急性脑死亡新鲜青年男性T12~S2尸体标本,每个标本在位移及载荷加载两种模式下依次完成以下状态的生物力学测试:完整状态、L4~5椎板间大开窗减压固定、L4~5全椎板切除减压固定。通过摄像系统非接触式测量融合相邻节段运动范围(range of motion,ROM),并进行对照研究。结果在位移加载模式下,全椎板切除组屈曲ROM较椎间大开窗组显著增加,而在后伸、侧弯及旋转方面两组无显著性的差别。结论位移和载荷加载模式对腰椎融合术后相邻节段的生物力学影响存在差异性。与保留PLC结构的椎间大开窗减压方式相比,破坏PLC结构的全椎板切除减压方式可以导致相邻节段屈曲ROM显著增加,并提高相邻节段在后伸、侧弯及旋转等运动状态下ROM,其远期出现融合相邻节段失稳的可能性大。     

上颈椎C0-C3节段不同载荷作用下生物力学特性的有限元分析

研究上颈椎C0-C3活动节段在不同载荷作用下前屈、后伸、侧屈和旋转时椎体应力、关节活动度(range of motion,ROM)及椎间盘的应力分布情况,探讨载荷改变对上颈椎生物力学特性的影响。基于CT图像数据建立人体上颈椎有限元模型,模型包括皮质骨、松质骨、纤维环、髓核、关节软骨、终板及韧带等结构,根据解剖特征赋予不同部位的材料属性,计算分析上颈椎C0-C3各节段在不同力矩作用下屈伸旋转时颈椎ROM、椎体应力和椎间盘最大应力变化趋势,与前人离体试验和有限元结果进行对比验证。人体上颈椎C0-C3节段在40 N和1.5 N·m载荷作用下,前屈时ROM最小,C0-C1、 C1-C2、C2-C3各节段ROM分别为1.88°、2.16°和1.59°;后伸时ROM大于前屈,最大相差幅度为2.32°;侧屈时ROM大于前屈,增幅分别为2.57°、2.41°和0.49°;轴向旋转时ROM最大,相对于侧屈ROM分别增加了247.64%、282.71%和-43.27%。当施加40 N预载荷和1.0、1.5、2.0、2.5 N·m力矩时,随着力矩等值增大,上颈椎C0-C3节段整体ROM呈非线性增加,变化特征为前屈时最小,旋转时最大;椎间盘最大应力值呈非线性增加(前屈和侧屈)和减少(后伸和旋转),ROM和应力分布趋势和前人研究结果一致。上颈椎三维有限元模型在不同载荷下数值分析的结果符合正常人体颈椎生理活动范围和生物力学特性,为临床颈椎病理和生理的生物力学研究提供理论依据。     

不同运动状态下模拟人体腰椎结构特征变化的有限元分析

目的比较不同运动状态下正常与退变腰椎节段三维有限元模型的应力变化特点及量效关系,分析中医推拿手法对退变腰椎节段力学调衡作用机制。方法建立完整、真实人体脊柱退变腰椎节段(L4~5)三维有限元模型,模拟腰椎节段前屈与后伸的生理活动。在加载外力即中医推拿手法作用下,分析退变腰椎节段的应力变化特点以及外加载荷逐渐递增过程中退变腰椎节段的应力变化,并与正常腰椎节段在不同运动状态下的应力、应变改变趋势进行对比。结果在不同运动状态下,人体腰椎节段椎间盘内应力分布、髓核、纤维环等结构的弹性模量随着腰椎退变程度的增加呈逐渐增大的趋势。中医推拿手法作用后能改变椎间盘内的应力分布,一定程度地增大椎管内的空间,使神经根所受的应力减小,椎体、小关节应力、椎弓根应力后伸位大于前屈位;椎间盘内部应力前屈位大于后伸位;且均由上至下呈逐渐增大的趋势。结论中医推拿手法对人体退变腰椎节段力学环境的调衡起到改善和治疗腰椎间盘病变的目的。同时,与人体正常腰椎节段三维有限元模型对比,从生物力学环境与特性改变角度研究腰椎退变的过程,能够为中医推拿手法在临床中预防和治疗脊柱退行性疾病的推广应用提供科学依据,也为中医推拿手法有效地预防和治疗脊柱腰椎节段病损的生物力学机制的研究提供新研究思路。     

腰骶部椎间盘髓核摘除对脊柱稳定性影响的生物力学研究

目的：分析髓核摘除对腰骶部Ｌ４～Ｌ５和Ｌ５～Ｓ１节段稳定性的影响。方法：对６例成人新鲜腰骶部（Ｌ４～Ｓ１）标本髓核摘除前后进行三维运动范围和压缩、剪切刚度的测定。对标本施加最大为１０．０Ｎ．ｍ的力偶矩,使之产生前屈、后伸、左右侧屈和左右轴向旋转运动,并由双平面立体测量的计算机图像分析系统得到节段运动范围。分别在１３００Ｎ,６００Ｎ和６００Ｎ的载荷下测定压缩、前后剪切和左右剪切刚度。结果：髓核摘除后,Ｌ４～Ｌ５和Ｌ５～Ｓ１节段的三维运动范围明显增大,其中Ｌ４～Ｌ５节段的后伸、左右轴向旋转运动增大有显著性,Ｌ５～Ｓ１节段的前屈运动增大有非常显著性,左右轴向旋转增大有显著性;Ｌ４～Ｓ１节段压缩和剪切刚度降低,左右剪切刚度降低有显著性。结论：髓核摘除使腰骶椎节段性三维运动范围增大,压缩和剪切刚度下降,腰骶节段失稳,以致整个后部结构承受更大的负载,导致小关节和韧带的损伤和退行性改变。     

内镜下单侧小关节分级切除对颈椎节段 稳定性影响

目的 探究颈椎内镜下不同范围小关节切除对颈椎节段稳定性的影响,为临床手术提供生物力学理论基础。方法 基于CT数据建立颈椎C5~6正常有限元模型,并模拟颈椎内镜手术操作获得不同范围（0、25%、50%、75%、100%）单侧小关节切除椎板开窗模型（模型1~5）,分析比较各组模型节段活动度（range of motion, ROM）及椎间盘von Mises应力情况。结果 除前屈工况外,模型1、2较正常模型各方向下ROM及椎间盘von Mises应力改变不明显,模型3较正常模型各方向下ROM及椎间盘von Mises应力出现较为明显增加,前屈、后伸、左侧弯、右侧弯、左旋转及右旋转时ROM分别增加27%、4%、3%、13%、5%、16%,von Mises应力分别增加32%、4%、2%、5%、9%、5%。模型4、5较正常模型各方向下ROM及椎间盘von Mises应力增加显著,模型4的ROM分别增加27%、14%、6%、24%、7%、167%,von Mises应力分别增加33%、13%、3%、32%、10%、130%;模型5的ROM分别增加27%、17%、6%、25%、7%、167%,von Mises应力分别增加33%、29%、8%、33%、12%、138%。结论 随着单侧小关节切除范围的增加,颈椎节段ROM和椎间盘von Mises应力极值逐渐增加。当单侧小关节切除超过1/2时,颈椎出现较大的ROM增加及应力改变。临床手术中应尽量保留1/2以上颈椎小关节,避免医源性失稳。     

半坚强与坚强内固定邻近节段腰椎间盘角位移及应力的比较

BACKGROUND: Theoretically, lumbar semi-rigid fixation can slow down the degeneration of adjacent segments, but there is still a lack of biomechanical support. OBJECTIVE: To explore the biomechanical effect of semi-rigid fixation system, taking Isobar TTL for instance, on adjacent segment disc by means of finite element analysis. METHODS: The finite element models of USS and Isobar TTL were constructed by putting respective parameters into a validated L2-S5 lumbar model. The angular displacement and von Mises stress of adjacent segments were recorded when the models were subjected to 400 N preload and 7.5 N•m moment of forces under different conditions: flexion, extension, lateral bending and axial rotation. RESULTS AND CONCLUSION: The angular displacement and inter-vertebral disc stress of adjacent segments in the USS and Isobar TTL models were higher than those of an intact state in every condition. But the values in Isobar TTL model were lower than the USS model in varying degrees. Compared with the USS model, the decrease rates of angular displacement in Isobar TTL model for flexion, extension, left bending, right bending, left axial rotation and right axial rotation were 19.2%, 15.1%, 11.1%, 12.2%, 18.4% and 22.1%, respectively. The decrease rates of von Mises stress were 33.0%, 20.2%, 23.9%, 18.6%, 28.8% and 28.0%, respectively. The results suggested that the Isobar TTL, when compared with the USS, partially reduced the angular displacement and inter-vertebral disc stress of adjacent segments.       

Biomechanical effects of cement filling location on osteoporotic vertebral compression fracture: A three-dimensional finite element analysis北大核心

BACKGROUND: When bipedicular percutaneous vertebral augmentation is performed for osteoporotic vertebral compression fractures, three types of cement filling location in the vertebral body are commonly seen, including anterolateral, anteromedial, and posterolateral, especially in lumbar spine with big volume of vertebral bodies. At present, no relevant biomechanical research has been found to compare the impact of these three bone cement filling locations on the biomechanical properties of fractured vertebral bodies. OBJECTIVE: To analyze and compare biomechanical effects of three types of cement filling location on osteoporotic vertebral compression fracture using threedimensional finite element analysis method. METHODS: Osteoporotic L1-L5 three-dimensional finite element model was constructed and osteoporotic vertebral compression fractures model was simulated in L3. Three types of cement filling location, including anterolateral, anteromedial, and posterolateral, were simulated in osteoporotic vertebral compression fractures model, respectively. Four models were got for the test eventually. Maximum von Mises stress of L3 veretebral body and maximum displacement of L3 fractured area were calculated for the four models under the same loading conditions, including flexion, extension, lateral bending, and rotations. RESULTS AND CONCLUSION: (1) Under flexion, maximum von Mises stress of L3 veretebral body in anterolateral, anteromedial, and posterolateral sites was about 18.31%, 19.43%, and 28.31% of that in osteoporotic vertebral compression fractures model, respectively. Maximum displacement of L3 fractured area was about 13.92%, 16.49%, and 29.90% of that in osteoporotic vertebral compression fractures model, respectively. Therefore, compared with percutaneous vertebral augmentation pre-operation, maximum von Mises stress and maximum displacement were decreased significantly after percutaneous vertebral augmentation, with those in anterolateral site being decreased the most significantly. Similar changes could be seen in extension, lateral bending, and rotations loading conditions. (2) The results showed that anterolateral cement filling could better restore strength and stability of fractured vertebral body. To make cement fill in the anterolateral fractured area first using precise puncture and cement injection technique is suggested. © 2022, Publishing House of Chinese Journal of Tissue Engineering Research. All rights reserved.     

Influence of surgical treatment for disc degeneration disease at C5–C6 on changes in some biomechanical parameters of the cervical spine

A detailed three-dimensional solid model of the full cervical spine (C1–C7 levels) and the finite element analysis method were used to investigate the extent of changes in various biomechanical properties brought about when surgical methods are used to treat condition(s) caused by or are a sequela of disc degeneration disease at the C5–C6 level. The surgical methods simulated were anterior cervical discectomy and fusion, with interbody fusion achieved using a notional brick-shaped graft only; anterior cervical discectomy alone; percutaneous nucleotomy; and three variants of nucleus replacement. The control case was a model of an intact, healthy, adult spine. Each of these seven models was subjected to (1) flexion moment, extension moment, left lateral bending moment, right lateral bending moment, clockwise-acting axial rotation moment, and counterclockwise-acting axial rotation moment, with a compression pre-load applied simultaneously with each of these loadings and (2) an axial compression force (applied as a uniform pressure) only. For each combination of model and applied loading, the maximum von Mises stress and the maximum strain energy density were determined for tissues at the treated level, at one level above the treated level, and at one level below the treated level and (2) the total principal rotation angles at each of the intersegmental positions of the entire model. In addition, for each of the study cases, we obtained the longitudinal displacement of each of the models when subjected to the axial compression force only.We found markedly fewer changes (relative to the results when the intact, healthy spine model was used) in each of the above-mentioned biomechanical parameters above a specified threshold in the case of the simulated percutaneous nucleotomy and simulated nucleus replacement models, on one hand, compared to the simulated fusion and simulated discectomy models, on the other. This finding is in consonance with the evolving clinical practice of using minimally invasive surgical methods for treating problem(s) such as soft cervical disc herniations.     

轴向振动时节段曲度对腰椎间盘应力演化的影响

研究人体腰椎运动节段承受长期轴向振动载荷时节段曲度对腰椎间盘应力演化的影响。基于人体腰椎L4～5节段CT扫描数据,建立人体腰椎L4～5节段的有限元模型。对腰椎间盘赋予多孔材料属性,并验证有限元模型的有效性。基于有限元模型,模拟L4～5节段以3种不同节段曲度(中立位、伸展2°、弯曲2°)承受时长为1 000 s的轴向振动的过程,得到这3种节段曲度下腰椎间盘的应力演化情况。各个曲度下腰椎间盘纤维环部分的峰值轴向应力均出现在其后外侧。在受载过程中,各个曲度下纤维环峰值轴向应力均呈非线性增大,且增速不断减小,至1 000 s时已趋于稳定。1 000 s时,伸展2°下纤维环峰值轴向应力比中立位下大39%,比弯曲2°下大109%。在受载过程中,各个曲度下髓核轴向应力亦呈非线性增长,增速不断减小。1 000 s时,伸展2°下髓核的轴向应力略小于其他两种情形。当L4～5节段以伸展2°的状态受载时,腰椎间盘受到的损伤最为严重;而当其以弯曲2°的状态受载时,腰椎间盘受到的损伤最小。当长时间处于全身振动条件下时,应尽量避免使腰椎处于向后伸展的姿态,而腰椎的小幅前屈可以保护腰椎间盘。     

种植体不同设计参数对下颌骨牙齿种植的影响

目的 建立不同设计参数的种植体-下颌骨模型,观测种植体及周围骨质应力分布,分析不同设计参数对下颌骨牙齿种植的影响。方法 基于结构特征参数（种植体直径、螺纹深度、基台穿龈高度、螺纹形态）,设计8组种植体模型,并分别进行下颌骨整体模型的装配。对模型施加静态150 N垂直、斜向45°两种载荷,分析骨组织和种植体von Mises应力峰值,探讨对von Mises应力峰值最敏感的种植体结构参数变量。结果 斜向载荷比垂直载荷对颌骨会产生更大的应力峰值。种植体直径是影响皮质骨von Mises应力峰值的关键因素;螺纹深度是影响松质骨von Mises应力峰值的关键因素;基台穿龈高度也会对颌骨von Mises应力峰值产生影响,但影响程度不如螺纹深度和种植体直径明显;螺纹形态对颌骨von Mises应力峰值几乎没有影响。结论 不同的种植体设计参数会影响颌骨不同组织的应力峰值,对于个性化种植需要慎重考虑种植体参数的选择。研究结果为口腔种植体的结构参数设计提供理论指导,为口腔种植手术精准预测提供参考。     

The effect of cup inclination and wear on the contact mechanics and cement fixation for ultra high molecular weight polyethylene total hip replacements

The present study aimed to investigate individual and combined influences of the cup inclination and wear on the contact mechanics and fixation of a Charnley hip replacement using finite element method. The effects of cup inclination and penetration on the contact mechanics of articulating bearings as well as the stress within the cement and at the bone-cement interface were examined. The maximum contact pressure and the von Mises stress on the cup were reduced by ~30% and ~20% respectively when even a small penetration occurred. However, no large differences were found between different cup penetration depths with regards to either the contact pressure or the von Mises stress. The von Mises stress at the bone-cement interface was predicted almost unaltered with an increased cup inclination angle to 55° for a cup penetration to 4mm. These predictions suggest that the contact mechanics and the cement stress are insensitive to the cup inclination and wear under these normal conditions investigated, therefore explaining the robustness of the Charnley hip implant. An increase in the cup inclination angle to 65°, coupled with a maximum penetration of 4mm, resulted in a large increase in the maximum von Mises stress at the bone-cement interface.     

活动式与固定式 UKA 衬垫的接触力学和磨损对比研究

目的 采用计算机模拟方法对比研究 ISO 14243 - 1 ∶ 2009 力控制标准测试条件下单髁膝关节置换术(unicompartmental knee arthroplasty,UKA)活动式与固定式衬垫的接触力学和磨损性能。 方法 采用有限元方法分析两种衬垫在测试条件下的接触应力和 von Mises 应力,并采用磨损预测模型模拟 5 MC(million cycles, 百万次循环)步态周期工况获得两种衬垫的线性磨损深度、磨损体积。 结果 磨损前活动式与固定式衬垫的最大接触应力分别为 15. 7、44. 3 MPa,最大 von Mises 应力分别为 11. 94、23. 33 MPa。 随着磨损加剧,活动式衬垫的最大接触应力和 von Mises 应力先减小后趋于稳定,而固定式衬垫的基本保持不变。 固定式衬垫的线性磨损深度为活动式的1. 5 倍,但活动式衬垫的磨损体积是固定式的 5. 4 倍,且活动式衬垫的背部磨损体积占其总磨损体积的 70% 。 结论 与固定式 UKA 衬垫相比,活动式 UKA 衬垫具有较低的接触应力与 von Mises 应力,但有较大的磨损体积。 活动式衬垫背部磨损是磨屑增加的另一个重要来源。     

Thermal-mechanical study of functionally graded dental implants with the finite element method

This article investigates the thermal-mechanical performance of hydroxyapatite/titanium (HA/Ti) functionally graded (FG) dental implants with the three-dimensional finite element method. The stresses induced by occlusal force for the present HA/Ti FG implant are calculated to compare with the corresponding stresses for the titanium dental implant. Thermal-mechanical effect of temperature variation due to daily oral activity is also studied. The HA/Ti FG dental implant performance is evaluated against the maximum von Mises stress, which is the general performance indicator, the first principal/tensile stress for mechanical failure of implant-bone-bond and the third principal/compressive stress for bone absorption. Simulation results indicate that under the influence of occlusal force only, the FG implants with different HA fraction along the implant length perform almost equally well, while the titanium implant sustains much higher von Mises stress. However, when thermal stress is also considered, the FG implant having HA fraction exponential index of m = 2 with temperature decrease of 20 degrees C yields the highest first principal and von Mises stresses among all the FG and titanium implants.