Aim: This study evaluated the stress distribution of implant-supported prostheses, varying the different combinations of computer-aided design/computer-aided manufacturing (CAD/CAM) materials between the hybrid abutment and the monolithic crown by three-dimensional (3D) finite element analysis (FEA).
Materials and methods: Nine models were designed with Rhinoceros 3D and Ansys software. Each model contained a bone block of the molar area, including an implant (IH; Ø 3.75 × 11 mm) supporting a hybrid abutment (ceramic mesostructure (MS) cemented onto a titanium [Ti] base) and a monolithic crown. The occlusal load was applied to the fossa bottom (300 N; 30 degrees). The results were analyzed using the von Mises stress for each separated prosthetic structure and microstrain for the bone tissue.
Result: Von Mises maps of the crown, ceramic MS, implant, screw, and cement layers showed a decreased stress concentration as the elastic modulus (E modulus) of the ceramic crown (CR) associated with a rigid ceramic MS decreased. No differences in bone tissue regarding microstrain were observed.
Conclusion: Implant-supported crowns present less stress concentration when a rigid abutment is associated with resilient crowns.
Keywords: dental implant-abutment design; dental implants; dental materials; finite element analysis (FEA); material testing; ceramics.