Optimization and Performance Evaluation of a Patient-Specific Subperiosteal Implant from Ti6Al4V

Abstract

A common issue with traditional endosseous implants is the lack of sufficient bone height and density. Subperiosteal implants seem to be a promising solution for such cases, offering a reduced number of surgical steps and immediate functionality. This research project includes the design and manufacturing of a patient-specific subperiosteal implant from Ti6Al4V via selective laser melting. The study includes a finite element analysis to observe the stress distribution under an applied static load of 500 N and a process simulation in Autodesk Netfabb Local Simulation software to optimize the orientation of the implant during manufacturing. Two computed tomography (CT) machines are used to evaluate the part’s geometrical deviations and to compare the machines’ performance. The FEA results demonstrate that, even though the implant can withstand extreme masticatory forces, the local stress concentration suggests a need for improved stress distribution. Through the process simulation, the second orientation is considered to reduce the volume of the support structures and the total deformations of the part. The comparison of the CT scans shows a similar performance of the two machines, but in one case it indicates potential setup issues. This study aims to underline the advancements in additive manufacturing and imaging technologies in personalized implants, while highlighting the challenges of precise dimensional accuracy and metrology.