Mechanical behavior of torsional honeycomb implants during mastication.

Abstract

Dental implant technology addresses masticatory dysfunction caused by tooth loss, with honeycomb structures emerging as promising candidates due to their exceptional energy absorption properties. This study systematically investigates the mechanical performance of titanium alloy honeycomb implants featuring variable twisted angles (0°-180°), aiming to optimize implant design for improved stress distribution in peri-implant bone tissue. Combined with finite element (FE) simulation and an in-vitro experimental platform based on a masticatory robot, the mechanical response of the implant under static compression and chewing different textures of food were analyzed. The results demonstrated an inverse relationship between torsional angle and both relative density and energy absorption capacity. Low-torsion configurations (≤60°) exhibited superior performance, reducing stress concentrations at thread roots and tails by 1.3-5.3 % compared to conventional designs under single axial load, while reducing by 1.5-7.2 % under combined load. The maximum strain at implant-bone interface was reduced by 1.6-3.4 % under single load and 8.9-14 % under combined load through the geometric torsion of the internal honeycomb structure, respectively. In-vitro test results showed that the low-torsion structure (<90°) was more advantageous in reducing mechanical stimulation of bone tissue during chewing hard and brittle food. These findings highlight torsional honeycomb designs as a dual-functional solution combining biomechanical compatibility with structural resilience, providing actionable insights for next generation dental implant optimization.