Purpose: The aim of this study was to evaluate the stresses around 2 implants inserted with different degrees of angulations to retain mandibular overdenture with locator attachment using strain gauge analysis.
Materials and Methods:Four experimental acrylic mandibular edentulous model were constructed. In the canine regions of each model, Two recesses were prepared vertical to the residual ridge (Group I, control), and at 10(Group II), 20(Group III), and 30(Group IV) degree of distal implant inclination (away from mid line). Two laboratory implants were inserted in each model and 1.5-mm-thick layer of auto polymerized resilient silicone soft lining material was used to simulate resilient edentulous ridge mucosa. Four duplicate mandibular record block were constructed and connected to the implants using Locator attachments. two linear strain gauges were bonded to the acrylic resin at mesial and distal surface of each implant to monitor the strain around the implants on loading and non-loading sided during bilateral load application.
Results:At different sites of strain gauges (right distal, right mesial, left mesial and left distal) during bilateral load application: group IV demonstrated the highest per-implant strain, followed by group III and group II and group I showed the lowest strains. Mesial site on loading side was associated with the greatest strain and distal site of non-loading side was associated with the lowest strain.
Conclusions:Within the limitation of this invitro strain gauge analysis, it could be concluded that peri-implant strain around 2 implants inserted in canine area to retain mandibular overdentures with locator attachments increases as the angle of distal implant inclination increases compared to vertically oriented implants.