Effect of Total Crown and Veneer Zirconia Meso-Structure Designs on Anterior Implant-Supported Restorations: A 3D Finite Element Analysis

Background: Unfavorable implant positioning in esthetic zones may result in buccal or incisal emergence of the prosthetic screw access, requiring alternative restorative strategies. This study evaluated, by three-dimensional finite element analysis (FEA), the effect of total crown and laminated veneer zirconia meso-structure designs cemented onto a titanium base (Ti-base) on stress distribution and bone microstrain.

Material and Methods: Two zirconia meso-structure designs: total crown (TC) and laminated veneer (LV) were simulated on a Ti-base using previously validated models. A 20 N•cm screw torque and a 150 N oblique load at 30° were applied. Stress was analyzed using von Mises and maximum principal stress, and bone response by microstrain.

Results: Both designs showed similar stress distribution in the implant, Ti-base, and screw. Microstrain concentrated mainly in the peri-implant cortical bone, with slightly wider distribution in the LV model.

Conclusions: TC and LV meso-structures exhibited comparable biomechanical behavior, suggesting that their selection may be guided primarily by restorative and esthetic considerations.