Comparative Biomechanical Evaluation of Short Implants, Angled Implants, and Vertically Augmented Standard-Length Implants in Posterior Atrophic Mandible: A Three-Dimensional Finite Element Analysis

The aim of this study was to compare the biomechanical behavior of short implants, angled implants, and standard-length implants placed after vertical augmentation in posterior atrophic mandibles with limited vertical bone height due to inferior alveolar nerve restriction. Three-dimensional models were generated from computed tomography data of partially edentulous posterior mandibles. Different treatment scenarios were designed, including short implants, angled implants, and vertically augmented models with standard-length implants. Vertical and oblique loading conditions were applied, and finite element analysis was performed to evaluate maximum (Pmax), minimum (Pmin), and von Mises stress values in the implant, cortical bone, and cancellous bone. Oblique loading resulted in higher stress values compared with vertical loading. Cortical bone exhibited higher stress than cancellous bone. Increasing the number of implants led to more homogeneous stress distribution and reduced peak stress values. Higher stress values were observed in models with angled implants. No marked difference in stress distribution was found between short implant models and vertically augmented standard implant models. Short implants may be considered a potential and less invasive treatment option under specific biomechanical conditions. Increasing the number of implants improved stress distribution, whereas angled implants were associated with higher stress concentrations.