Description:
FEM studies were made on a zirconia dental bridge of 4 elements with supports on 2.4 and 2.7, and edentation on 2.5 and 2.6. Appling a compressive force of 350N on Z direction, quite normal for mastication, was analyzed the behavior of the dental bridge. Zirconia, although having a high mechanical strength, is fragile when rotation or bending movements occur. The analysis reveals some bridge deficiencies, which may be due either to inaccuracies in the prosthetic abutment construction (especially in relation to their inclination), to the technique of realization or to insufficient dental support. In our study, the most vulnerable elements are the crowns on teeth 2.4 and 2.7. Finite element analysis, highlighting possible structural and design deficiencies, may be a solution to improve dental bridges. The only disadvantage of the finite element analysis that was performed before the actual restoration is related to the fact that performing the simulations involves a time-consuming phase.