Finite element analysis of dental implants with validation: to what extent can we expect the model to predict biological phenomena? A literature review and proposal for classification of a validation process

Abstract

A literature review of finite element analysis (FEA) studies of dental implants with their model validation process was performed to establish the criteria for evaluating validation methods with respect to their similarity to biological behavior. An electronic literature search of PubMed was conducted up to January 2017 using the Medical Subject Headings "dental implants" and "finite element analysis." After accessing the full texts, the context of each article was searched using the words "valid" and "validation" and articles in which these words appeared were read to determine whether they met the inclusion criteria for the review. Of 601 articles published from 1997 to 2016, 48 that met the eligibility criteria were selected. The articles were categorized according to their validation method as follows: in vivo experiments in humans (n = 1) and other animals (n = 3), model experiments (n = 32), others' clinical data and past literature (n = 9), and other software (n = 2). Validation techniques with a high level of sufficiency and efficiency are still rare in FEA studies of dental implants. High-level validation, especially using in vivo experiments tied to an accurate finite element method, needs to become an established part of FEA studies. The recognition of a validation process should be considered when judging the practicality of an FEA study.

Keywords: Dental implant; Finite element analysis; Validation; Verification.

Fig. 1

Flowchart of literature review. An electronic literature search of PubMed was conducted up to January 2017 using the Medical Subject Headings “dental implants” and “finite element analysis.” After accessing the full texts, the context of each article was searched using the words “valid” and “validation” and articles in which these words appeared were read to determine whether they met the inclusion criteria for the review

Fig. 2

Hierarchy of validations based on their similarity to real biomechanical behaviors. The articles (n = 47) were categorized according to their validation method as follows: in vivo experiments in humans (n = 1) and other animals (n = 3), model experiments (n = 32), others’ clinical data and past literature (n = 9), and other software (n = 2)

Fig. 3

Proportion of dental implant FEA articles with a validation. (Left) Among totally 522 FEA articles of dental implants which we were able to access English full text up to January 2017, there are only 47 articles with a validation. (Right) The articles with a validation were categorized according to their validation method as follows levels: A, in vivo (human bodies); B, performed in vivo (heterogeneous animals); C, model experiment performed using part of a cadaver; D, model experiment performed using heterogeneous bone; E, model experiment performed using artificial materials; F, comparison with past literature; and G, performed with other software (n = 2)