Stress analysis of two craniofacial implants in implant retained auricular prostheses

Implant-retained auricular prostheses require attachments to connect the implants and prostheses. Different attachments have different retention forces and hence different stress is transmitted to the implants. Splinting the implants together with a Hader bar allows the combination of different attachments with the Hader bar and allows changes in the amount and pattern of stress on the implants. However, the amount of removal force is also influenced by the retention components and the direction of removal of the prosthesis. In this paper, we studied the stress distribution around two craniofacial implants, in an auricular prosthesis, according to the removal forces, among three different attachment combinations and evaluated the stress distribution around two craniofacial implants in an auricular prosthesis with removal force at normal direction. The mean removal force was experimentally determined and the models were created using finite element software to analyze the distribution of von-Mises stress. Within the limitations of this study, the prosthodontist should place an emphasis on encouraging patients to remove the prosthesis at 90 degrees and if possible use a low retentive attachment to reduce the stress.