Occlusal Load Studies in the Bone/Implant/Prosthetic Component Complex in Atypical Maxillary Defects: A Finite Element Analysis

The prosthetic rehabilitation of patients with atypical maxillary defects remains a significant challenge in Maxillofacial Prosthodontics due to the limited bone volume available after resection caused by pathology, trauma, or developmental conditions. Understanding the biomechanical behavior of the implant–prosthesis complex is essential for appropriate treatment planning, particularly in cases with reduced bone support. Implant-supported obturator prostheses can provide improved retention and stability when associated with osseointegrated implants. This study proposes the use of Finite Element Analysis (FEA) to evaluate the stress–strain environment generated in such rehabilitative conditions. A digital model of an atypical maxillary defect will be developed from computed tomography images of the maxillary region and modified using CAD-based procedures in Rhinoceros® 7.0 to reproduce the desired anatomical defect. Rehabilitation will be simulated using an implant-supported obturator prosthesis with a bar–clip retention system. The finite element mesh and biomechanical analyses will be performed using HyperWorks® 2024 software. Occlusal loading conditions will be applied to assess stress distribution in the surrounding bone, implants, prosthetic components, and prosthesis. The results will be compared with alternative rehabilitation approaches to identify potential critical stress concentrations and predict mechanical performance. The ultimate goal is to evaluate the biomechanical viability and clinical feasibility of implant-supported rehabilitation in patients with severely reduced maxillary bone volume.