Optimizing dental implant design parameters through orthotropic properties of bone: a DOE-based approach

Abstract

Dental implant research has provided insights into the effects of thread design and occlusal loading rate on stress distribution within implants and adjacent bone structures. However, ongoing advancements in materials necessitate further investigation to optimize implant performance through a thorough understanding of design parameters. This study developed a comprehensive three-dimensional CAD model of dental implants, incorporating cortical and cancellous bone, crown, and various thread types (V type, buttress, and trapezoidal threads). Multiple thread design parameters (pitch, length, angle, and depth) were varied to analyze their impact on stress distribution. Taguchi's design of experiments, combined with finite element analysis, was employed to explore stress distribution around dental implants. The implant material used was Ti<inf>6</inf>Al<inf>7</inf>Nb alloy, comprising 90% titanium, 6% aluminium, and 7% niobium. Von Mises stresses were compared to identify the optimal design. Taguchi's analysis revealed that raising all parameters except pitch reduced implant stress. However, for trapezoidal and buttress designs, increasing pitch resulted in higher stress levels. A confirmation experiment, utilizing the developed regression equation, validated these findings. Comparative analysis between simulation and statistical results showed a close match across all cases; with an error rate of less than 10%. These findings underscore the reliability and accuracy of the research outcomes, emphasizing the significance of identified thread types and their impacts on implant stress. Further research in this area could lead to advancements in dental implant design, enhancing patient outcomes and implant longevity. © The Author(s), under exclusive licence to Springer-Verlag France SAS, part of Springer Nature 2025.