How can lateral mechanical stress at the crest of the implant be decreased?

Increasing the diameter of the implant is effective in decreasing lateral mechanical stress at the crest because a wider implant can distribute the applied forces over a larger surface area. This reduction in stress concentration minimizes the chances of bone resorption and enhances the stability of the implant within the alveolar bone.

When stress is concentrated on a smaller area, such as with a narrow implant, it can lead to material fatigue and eventual failure of the implant. A larger diameter implant more effectively engages the surrounding bone, thereby reducing the magnitude of the lateral forces acting on it during functional loading. This is crucial because excessive lateral forces can contribute to common complications associated with implant failure, such as crestal bone loss.

Other options may not provide the same benefit in terms of effectively managing lateral stress. Reducing the length of the implant, for instance, may negatively impact its anchorage and stability rather than alleviate lateral stress. The choice of material, such as titanium, does influence overall implant performance but does not specifically address the lateral stress mechanics as diameter does. Additionally, altering the angle of insertion can affect the distribution of forces, but it does not inherently change how stress is transmitted to the surrounding bone, nor does it ensure the same level of stress reduction that increased diameter achieves.