Abstract This study compares ball, bar-clip and bar-ball attachment systems for implant-retained mandibular overdentures with three implants. The first implant is placed in the middle of the mandible and the other two are imbedded in the first premolar regions. Linear elastic finite element analysis is used for design analysis. Three dimensional geometry of the mandible is generated from computed tomography. Other parts are modeled using SolidWorks software. The foodstuff is positioned at the right first molar, representing the most frequent masticating situation. To obtain accurate mesh-independent results, finite element models are solved using several mesh grids. They are then validated by means of a detailed convergence analysis. The results demonstrate that the highest von-Mises stress in the bone is always located around the neck of the implant, at its upper threads. Ball and bar-ball attachments transfer the highest and lowest stresses to the bone surrounding the implants, respectively. The lowest stresses in the cortical and cancellous bones are due to bar-ball attachment. Yet, the overdenture gets its maximum movement for this arrangement. Consequently, the use of bar-ball attachment is only recommended for the cases in which stress transferred to peri-implant bone is more important than overdenture stability. Among the three treatment designs, ball attachment seems to exhibit the lowest lateral and overall displacements and hence, better overdenture stability.

Abstract Using GDQ method, the radial and circumferential stresses in an annular FGM plate with a uniform thickness under a transverse axisymmetric load is investigated. It is assumed that a uniform radial magnetic field acts on the top surface of the plate. The modulus of elasticity E and the magnetic permeability coefficient μ of the plate along its thickness are assumed to vary according to the volume distribution function. The Poisson's ratio ν is considered to be constant. Based on the classical plate theory (CPT), equilibrium equations are deduced and the displacement fields are determined. The radial and circumferential stresses as well as transverse and radial displacements are obtained accordingly. The effect of volume fraction function power m on the maximum deflection in the absence and presence of the magnetic field is also investigated. Moreover, the effect of t/a and b/a ratios on displacements, stresses, induction magnetic field intensity and the resulting Lorentz force are also investigated. According to the results, for different points along the radial direction, the application of radial magnetic field to the top surface of the plate completely changes the state of stress in both tangential and radial directions, resulting in tensile and compressive stresses in these two directions. The results also indicate that in presence of magnetic field, the plate displacement and stress components are lowered considerably.