In vitro stress analysis study of different prosthetic options using single posterior implant for management of mandibular unilateral distal extension saddle

Aim: The aim of this study is to compare in vitro, micro-strain induced by different prosthetic options using single posterior implant in lower unilateral distal extension saddle (Kennedy class II). Materials and methods: For this study, three prosthetic designs were made I, II, and III on epoxy resin model representing mandibular unilateral distal extension edentulous area with the second premolar as the main abutment and implant was placed at the site of the second molar. For group (I), The design principle was (RPI clasp on the second premolar abutment, lingual bar major connector, double Aker clasp on the first and second molar on the other side and (ball socket) attachment on the implant). For group (II) the design principle was ((RPI clasp on the second premolar abutment and (ball socket) attachment on the implant)). For group (III) implant tooth connected fixed partial denture was fabricated using the 2nd premolar as mesial abutment and the implant as distal abutment. A self-protected linear strain gauge was used for this study to measure the micro-strain induced on the buccal and lingual sides of the implant and 2nd premolar abutment. Results: SPSS software program was used in the statistical analysis of the results. The results revealed that Maximum stresses induced at tooth and implant abutments were in case of group (II) design and distribution of micro-strain between the implant and tooth abutment in case of group (III) design was better than distribution in cases of the two other groups. Conclusion: The conclusions are as follows: (1) maximum strain induced at tooth and implant abutments were in case of side plate design; (2) distribution of micro-strain between the implant and tooth abutment in case of fixed restoration was better than distribution in case of the other two groups.