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PURPOSE. The stress distribution and microgap formation on an implant abutment structure was evaluated to determine the relationship between the direction of the load and the stress value. MATERIALS AND METHODS. Two types of three-dimensional models for the mandibular first molar were designed: bone-level implant and tissue-level implant. Each group consisted of an implant, surrounding bone, abutment, screw, and crown. Static finite element analysis was simulated through 200 N of occlusal load and preload at five different load directions: 0, 15, 30, 45, and 60°. The von Mises stress of the abutment and implant was evaluated. Microgap formation on the implant-abutment interface was also analyzed. RESULTS. The stress values in the implant were as follows: 525, 322, 561, 778, and 1150 MPa in a bone level implant, and 254, 182, 259, 364, and 436 MPa in a tissue level implant at a load direction of 0, 15, 30, 45, and 60°, respectively. For microgap formation between the implant and abutment interface, three to seven-micron gaps were observed in the bone level implant under a load at 45 and 60°. In contrast, a three-micron gap was observed in the tissue level implant under a load at only 60°. CONCLUSION. The mean stress of bone-level implant showed 2.2 times higher than that of tissue-level implant. When considering the loading point of occlusal surface and the direction of load, higher stress was noted when the vector was from the center of rotation in the implant prostheses. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Sob a influência da gravidade, o tecido ósseo sofre maior ou menor deformação de acordo com a intensidade das atividades da vida diária. Sabe-se que as atividades que resultam em impacto são as que mais estimulam a osteogênese e assim reduzem a perda de massa óssea. Conhecer como as células ósseas reconhecem a deformação mecânica imposta ao osso e iniciam uma série de reações bioquímicas em cadeia é de fundamental importância para o desenvolvimento de práticas terapêuticas e preventivas na atividade ortopédica. Ainda há um longo caminho para o entendimento de todo esse processo, mas o conhecimento atual progrediu bastante e há pesquisas com finalidade terapêutica. O sinal mecânico para ser transformado em biológico (mecanotransdução) deve ser amplificado no nível celular pela estrutura histológica do tecido ósseo, gerando tensões em proteínas da membrana celular (integrinas) e alterando a estrutura espacial dessas proteínas. Essa alteração ativa ligações entre elas e o citoesqueleto, originando as adesões focais, locais onde proteínas citoplasmáticas são recrutadas para facilitar as reações bioquímicas. A quinase de adesão focal (FAK) é a principal delas, sendo autoativada após sofrer alteração estrutural pelas integrinas. A FAK ativada incita reações em cascata, resultando na ativação da ERK-1/2 e da Akt, proteínas que, junto com a FAK, regulam a produção da massa óssea. Acredita-se que o osteócito seja a célula óssea responsável por reconhecer o estímulo mecânico e transmiti-lo aos osteoblastos e osteoclastos. Canais iônicos e gap junctions são cogitados como meios de comunicação intercelular para a transmissão bioquímica do estímulo mecânico. Esses eventos ocorrem continuamente no tecido ósseo e regulam a remodelação óssea.Influenced by gravidity, bone tissue experiences stronger or lighter deformation according to the strength of the activities of daily life. Activities resulting in impact are particularly known to stimulate osteogenesis, thus reducing bone mass loss. Knowing how bone cells recognize the mechanical deformation imposed to the bone and trigger a series of biochemical chain reactions is of crucial importance for the development of therapeutic and preventive practices in orthopaedic activity. There is still a long way to run until we can understand the whole process, but current knowledge has shown a strong progression, with researches being conducted focused on therapies. For a mechanical sign to be transformed into a biological one (mechanotransduction), it must be amplified at cell level by the histological structure of bone tissue, producing tensions in cell membrane proteins (integrins) and changing their spatial structure. Such change activates bindings between these and the cytoskeleton, producing focal adhesions, where cytoplasmatic proteins are recruited to enable easier biochemical reactions. Focal adhesion kinase (FAK) is the most important one being self-activated when its structure is changed by integrins. Activated FAK triggers a cascade of reactions, resulting in the activation of ERK-1/2 and Akt, which are proteins that, together with FAK, regulate the production of bone mass. Osteocytes are believed to be the mechanosensor cells of the bone and to transmit the mechanical deformation to osteoblasts and osteoclasts. Ionic channels and gap junctions are considered as intercellular communication means for biochemical transmission of a mechanical stimulus. These events occur continuously on bone tissue and regulate bone remodeling.

Influenced by gravidity, bone tissue experiences stronger or lighter deformation according to the strength of the activities of daily life. Activities resulting in impact are particularly known to stimulate osteogenesis, thus reducing bone mass loss. Knowing how bone cells recognize the mechanical deformation imposed to the bone and trigger a series of biochemical chain reactions is of crucial importance for the development of therapeutic and preventive practices in orthopaedic activity. There is still a long way to run until we can understand the whole process, but current knowledge has shown a strong progression, with researches being conducted focused on therapies. For a mechanical sign to be transformed into a biological one (mechanotransduction), it must be amplified at cell level by the histological structure of bone tissue, producing tensions in cell membrane proteins (integrins) and changing their spatial structure. Such change activates bindings between these and the cytoskeleton, producing focal adhesions, where cytoplasmatic proteins are recruited to enable easier biochemical reactions. Focal adhesion kinase (FAK) is the most important one being self-activated when its structure is changed by integrins. Activated FAK triggers a cascade of reactions, resulting in the activation of ERK-1/2 and Akt, which are proteins that, together with FAK, regulate the production of bone mass. Osteocytes are believed to be the mechanosensor cells of the bone and to transmit the mechanical deformation to osteoblasts and osteoclasts. Ionic channels and gap junctions are considered as intercellular communication means for biochemical transmission of a mechanical stimulus. These events occur continuously on bone tissue and regulate bone remodeling.