Biomechanical Considerations of Prosthodontic Therapy: The Urgency of Research Into Alveolar Bone Responses

The prognosis of natural and implant abutments depends in part on the complementary and/or antagonistic biomechanic and calcium homeostatic functions of the adjacent alveolar bone. Whereas bone morphology is determined by peak strains, strain rates, and strain distributions, infrequent error strains on abutments have a greater impact on the adjacent alveolar bone than those generated during ormal activity. Alveolar responses depend on the immediate prevailing systemic and local demands, although unexpected abutment failures will continue until such influences have been investigated further. Keywords: alveolar bone support, implant and natural abutments