Objective: The purpose of this study was to analyze the dynamic behaviors of the dental implant system with a taper or external hex joint as connections between the implant and abutment, using transient dynamic analysis of the finite element method (FEM). Methods: In the present study, two types of dental implant models were proposed, those with a taper or external hex joint. As the dental implant model with a taper joint, the Ankylos (Degusa Dental, Hanau, German) implant system was used (taper-type model). For the other dental implant model with external hex joint, the Branemark (Nobel Biocare, Gothenburg, Sweden) implant system was used (external hex-type model). All FEM calculations were performed with ANSYS ver 7.1 (Ansys .Inc, Pittsburgh, USA). The FEM analysis was calculated using a three-dimensional finite element analysis utilizing 4-node tetrahedral solid elements. Transient dynamic analysis using FEM was used to investigate the dynamic behavior of the dental implant system under the dynamic load. As a load condition, an impulsive load of 100 N was applied vertically to the center of the occlusal surface at the top of the implant. The dynamic response was obtained from the output at the points of interface between the implant and abutment. Results: There was a significant difference in deformation under dynamic load between the taper-type and external hex-type model. In the external hex-model, a deformed shape of rotation appeared at the abutment where the implant was attached. This would cause loosening at the connections between implant and abutment. In contrast, the deformed shape of taper-type model showed no rotation at all. These findings agree with the experimental results of Becker et al and Sutter et al. Conclusion: The present study clearly showed that the dynamic behavior of dental implant systems is influenced by connections between the implant and abutment.

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