Finite element evaluation of the biomechanical feasibility of a multi-shield socket shield technique for a vertically fractured maxillary central incisor
Finite element modeling demonstrates favorable load distribution of multi-shield socket shields in fractured incisors, indicating biomechanical viability when intact root retention fails.
Key Points
To evaluate the biomechanical feasibility of a modified multi-shield socket shield technique (MS-SST) for maxillary central incisors with single-line vertical root fractures.
Constructed three-dimensional finite element models comparing conventional immediate implantation (CII), classic socket shield technique (C-SST), and MS-SST.
Simulated tissue behavior using computed tomography gray values for heterogeneous bone and tooth structures, alongside a nonlinear first-order Ogden hyperelastic model for the periodontal ligament under 10 to 100 N oblique occlusal loads.
At peak 100 N loading, CII produced the most unfavorable peri-implant bone response, with compressive hydrostatic pressure of 26.94 MPa, tensile hydrostatic pressure of 37.67 MPa, and strain energy density (SED) of 0.0447 MPa.
MS-SST demonstrated intermediate peri-implant SED (0.0347 MPa) compared to C-SST (0.0302 MPa) and CII, while maintaining shield displacement at 0.0101 mm compared to 0.0104 mm in C-SST.
MS-SST induced higher tensile hydrostatic pressure within the periodontal ligament than C-SST (0.0304 vs. 0.0166 MPa) while effectively reducing adverse peri-implant mechanical stress relative to CII.