Integration of Advanced Imaging and Finite Element Modeling in Dental Implant and Periodontal Biomechanics

Biomechanical assessment in dental implantology and periodontology has seen remarkable advances with the advent of high-resolution imaging technologies and sophisticated computational modeling. Traditional diagnostic methods struggle to capture the intricate biomechanical interplay between implants, bone, and soft tissues, often limiting the precision of treatment planning and outcome prediction. The use of cone-beam computed tomography (CBCT), micro-computed tomography, and magnetic resonance imaging now enables unparalleled visualization of anatomical structures, while finite element analysis (FEA) provides a robust framework for simulating mechanical behavior and predicting clinical performance. Recent studies have demonstrated that integrating anatomical imaging with FEA enhances the accuracy of stress distribution analysis, offers insights into bone adaptation, and supports the customization of prosthetic and surgical interventions. Yet, the full clinical translation of these technologies remains a challenge due to gaps in validation, the complexity of workflow integration, and heterogeneous patient presentations.

This Research Topic aims to deepen the collective understanding of how advanced imaging and finite element modeling can be combined to foster individualized, evidence-based approaches to dental implant placement and periodontal disease management. Central goals include addressing questions related to the accuracy of patient-specific computational models, the predictive value of biomechanical simulations, and the optimization of implant designs and treatment protocols. Key objectives also involve encouraging interdisciplinary approaches that merge clinical, engineering, and computational expertise to elucidate peri-implant bone response, periodontal tissue mechanics, and long-term implant survival. By pursuing these aims, the Research Topic seeks to bridge the gap between technological innovation and tangible improvements in oral health care.


The scope of this Research Topic encompasses experimental, computational, and clinical studies leveraging advanced imaging and FEA for dental and periodontal biomechanics while excluding topics outside the interface of these two modalities. We welcome comprehensive and innovative submissions on, but not limited to, the following themes:
• Patient-specific finite element models for evaluating implant loading and bone remodeling
• Image-based modeling utilizing CBCT, micro-CT, and MRI for anatomical fidelity
• Clinical and in vitro validation of biomechanical model predictions
• Mechanisms underlying peri-implantitis and periodontal disease progression from a biomechanical perspective
• Digital workflows integrating imaging data with simulation tools
• Artificial intelligence and machine learning applications in image analysis and biomechanical modeling

Keywords: imaging, Finite Element Analysis, Biomechanical Assessment, dental implants, Periodontal Disease, Computational approaches, 3D printing for dental implants

Important note: All contributions to this Research Topic must be within the scope of the section and journal to which they are submitted, as defined in their mission statements. Frontiers reserves the right to guide an out-of-scope manuscript to a more suitable section or journal at any stage of peer review.