Finite element analysis of a new alveolar bone splitting technique in the mandibular posterior region.

Background: Finite element analysis was used to predict the risk of bone plate fracture and the expected bone augmentation effect of a new alveolar bone splitting technique in the mandibular posterior region for different alveolar crest widths, different alveolar bone densities, different root incision widths, and different insertion depths of bone expansion instrumentation.

Methods: The jaw models of the mandibular posterior region were constructed by computer-aided software and surgical incisions and bone expansion instruments were prepared on the models, after which the alveolar bone splitting procedure was simulated by finite element analysis software, and the equivalent stress-strain distribution characteristics of the jaw models of each group, as well as the maximal force and the maximal displacement of the bone plate when it was fractured, were recorded.

Results: The distribution of equivalent stress and strain was mainly concentrated in the cancellous bone area at the root incision and the lower 1/3 of the buccal cortical bone plate, and there was no significant difference in the stress-strain distribution characteristics of the jaw models of each group. The wider of the alveolar crest, the higher the force required to fracture the bone plate, but the smaller the maximum displacement; the plastic deformation capacity of type IV bone jaws was more excellent; the wider the width of the root incision, the shallower the depth of instrument insertion, and the larger the maximum displacement.

Conclusion: Finite element analysis can effectively simulate the surgical criticality index of the new alveolar bone splitting procedure. Alveolar crest width, alveolar bone density, root incision width, and instrument insertion depth had a clear correlation with the maximum displacement of the bone plate at fracture. The alveolar crest width and alveolar bone density also had a significant effect on the maximum force required to fracture the bone plate.