The aim of this study was to investigate deformation and stress distribution in the buccal lamellar bone via finite element analysis (FEA) in the application of alveolar ridge-splitting/expansion technique (ARST) in atrophic maxilla and mandible.

Three-dimensional (3D) solid models of maxilla and mandible were formed using computer software, with an alveolar ridge thickness of 4 mm in the right first molar region. In both models, one horizontal and two releasing vertical osteotomies were made in the atrophic region. Vertical forces varying from 50 N to 1000 N were continuously applied on the midpoint of the horizontal osteotomy and then the axial and total deformation and von Mises stress distribution in the buccal lamellar bone was assessed by FEA.

The degrees of axial deformation and total deformation and the maximum von Mises stress value under a 50 N force were 0.22 mm, 0.23 mm, and 4.52 MPa in the maxillary buccal lamellar bone and were 0.04 mm, 0.06 mm, and 5.90 MPa in the mandibular buccal lamellar bone, respectively. Similarly, under a 1000 N force, the values were 4.44 mm, 4.75 mm, and 90.49 MPa in the maxillary buccal lamellar bone and were 0.96 mm, 1.1 mm, and 118.02 MPa in the mandibular buccal lamellar bone, respectively.

These findings implicate that the ARST used for implant placement or alveolar augmentation can be achieved with the application of lower amounts of force in the maxilla compared to the mandible. It was also revealed that in ARST, the maximum von Mises stress value was lower in the maxillary buccal lamellar bone than in the mandibular buccal lamellar bone. Based on these findings, we consider that the administration of ARST could be biomechanically more stable in the maxilla than in the mandible.