Dental Implant and Natural Tooth Micro-Movements during Mastication—In Vivo Study with 3D VIC Method

In the paper, using the video image correlation method, a study of the micro-movement pattern of the dental implant and of a normal was performed. It is revealed that there are great differences between these two situations. The linear displacement type of the dental implant refers to the linear elastic modulus of bone tissue in the case of normal bite forces. It seems that the major influencing factor regarding the type and value of implant micro-movement is defined by the underlying bone tissue. It is to be considered that masticator force transmission inside a more stiff and dense bone could be attenuated by the antagonist teeth parodontium, dental implant and abutment connection type, and the elastic modulus of material of the dental crown. Because of the elasticity of the periodontal ligament system, during the loading of the dental implant, the natural tooth has been displaced slightly more, leaving the dental implant in an unfavorable position, having to bear the full amount of loading forces. When comparing the relative displacements in the case of the loaded tooth, it is shown that the dental implant has been moving almost symmetrically with the tooth. This could mean that large amounts of forces are transmitted towards the periimplant bone tissue, but in a more optimal, parabolic manner due to the action of the periodontal ligaments surrounding the natural tooth.