Finite element analysis (FEA) has become integral to advancing dental implantology, offering critical insights into the biomechanical behavior of implants and their interaction with surrounding bone. By examining stress distribution and load pathways, FEA enables the optimization of implant geometry, particularly thread shape and depth, to foster favorable bone collagen fiber orientation. These findings underscore the importance of patient-specific designs, which can now be realized through additive manufacturing to accommodate variations in bone quality. Additionally, incorporating physiological loading scenarios in FEA simulations improves the accuracy of stress predictions, helping to mitigate implant failure risks. Recent research has also highlighted the potential of coupling FEA with artificial intelligence (AI), facilitating efficient parameter optimization and multiscale modeling. While these tools have substantially contributed to understanding the bone-implant interface, future work should emphasize in vivo validation. Such collaborative efforts between engineers, clinicians, and researchers will ultimately enhance implant longevity and elevate patient outcomes.

• Finite Element Analysis (Fea)

• Dental Implant Design

• Biomechanical Modeling

• Bone-Implant Interface

• Osseointegration

Valente F (2025) Advancing Dental Implantology through Finite Element Analysis: a Mini-Review. JSM Dent 12(1): 1142.

Finite element analysis (FEA) has emerged as a cornerstone in dental implantology, enabling the evaluation of biomechanical responses within the bone-implant system under various conditions. This computational tool has proven invaluable in optimizing implant design, assessing stress distribution, and predicting long-term clinical outcomes. By integrating advanced modeling techniques with principles of biomechanics and materials science, FEA offers insights into critical factors such as implant geometry, loading conditions, and bone remodeling mechanisms [1,2]. This mini-review synthesizes findings from recent studies, emphasizing the role of FEA in shaping the future of implantology.

Implant Design and Biomechanical Considerations

Implant geometry profoundly influences peri-implant bone stress distribution. Studies highlight the importance of thread shape, depth, and inter-thread spacing in determining stress magnitudes and bone collagen fiber orientation (BCFO). For instance, “V”-shaped threads enhance transverse BCFO, promoting superior load bearing capacity and osseointegration [3,4]. Additionally, patient-specific designs enabled by additive manufacturing have emerged as promising solutions to address variations in bone quality and anatomical constraints [1].

Loading conditions significantly affect implant stability. Physiological loading, which incorporates occlusal contact points, induces realistic stress patterns compared to non physiological scenarios [4]. These findings underline the necessity of accurately simulating clinical conditions in FEA models to predict implant performance and mitigate failure risks [2,4].

Contributions of Finite Element Analysis

FEA has facilitated a deeper understanding of the bone-implant interface, particularly in evaluating the mechanical interplay between cortical and trabecular bone. The method allows for the simulation of stress and strain fields at both macro- and microscale levels, bridging gaps in knowledge about bone remodeling under dynamic loads. Recent advancements, such as integrating artificial intelligence (AI) with FEA, have further enhanced parameter optimization and computational efficiency, enabling more precise predictions of clinical outcomes [2,5].

FEA has also elucidated the impact of crown materials and loading intensities on peri-implant stress distribution. While materials like zirconia and lithium disilicate exhibit comparable mechanical properties, their behavior under varying loads underscores the importance of material selection in optimizing implant longevity [4].

Multiscale Modeling

There is a pressing need to develop multiscale models that incorporate trabecular architecture and account for cellular-level bone remodeling processes. Such models can provide a holistic view of the biomechanical environment, enhancing the predictive accuracy of FEA simulations [1,3].

Integration of Emerging Technologies

The synergy between FEA and AI offers significant potential for innovation. Machine learning algorithms can analyze large datasets from FEA simulations, identifying patterns and optimizing designs with unprecedented precision. Additionally, real-time simulations using cloud computing could make these advanced tools accessible to clinicians, bridging the gap between research and practice [5].

Clinical Validation

While FEA provides robust theoretical insights, long term clinical studies are essential to validate these findings. Incorporating patient-specific data into FEA models and correlating outcomes with clinical observations can strengthen the reliability of these tools [2].

Finite element analysis has transformed dental implantology by providing a comprehensive framework for understanding the biomechanical and material aspects of implant performance. By leveraging innovative modeling techniques and integrating emerging technologies, researchers can drive significant advancements in implant design and clinical outcomes. Future efforts should focus on multiscale modeling, AI integration, and clinical validation to fully realize the potential of FEA in improving implant longevity and patient satisfaction [1,2].

To translate these advancements into practice, researchers and clinicians must prioritize interdisciplinary collaboration. The integration of engineering principles, computational modeling, and clinical expertise will pave the way for the next generation of dental implants, tailored to the unique needs of each patient. By aligning technological innovation with clinical applicability, FEA can continue to shape the future of implantology.

 1. Falcinelli C, Valente F, Vasta M, Traini T. Finite element analysis in implant dentistry: State of the art and future directions. Dental Materials. 2023; 1: 39: 539-556.

2. Valente F, Trubiani O, Traini T. The role of the applied load in bone homeostasis and its implications in implant dentistry: a mini-review. Ital J Anat Embryol. 2022; 27: 12: 39-42.

3. Valente F, Scarano A, Murmura G, Varvara G, Sinjari B, Mandelli F, et al. Collagen Fibres Orientation in the Bone Matrix around Dental Implants: Does the Implant’s Thread Design Play a Role? Int J Mol Sci. 2021; 23: 7860.

4. Valente F, Marrocco A, Falcinelli C. Impact of physiological and non physiological loading scenarios and crown material on periimplant bone stress distribution: A 3D finite element study. J Mech Behav Biomed Mat. 2025; 163: 106894.

5. Valente F, Falconio L, Falcinelli C, Roy S, Trubiani O, Traini T. Artificial intelligence and finite element analysis: applications in implant dentistry. Ital J Anat Embryol. 2023; 127: 99-103.