Biomechanics of Dental Implantation in the Giant Panda (Ailuropoda melanoleuca): A Comparative Study Using Finite Element Analysis.

This article focuses on evaluating the feasibility of dental implantation in giant pandas (Ailuropoda melanoleuca) using finite element analysis (FEA) based on mandible measurements from an adult skeletal specimen. The study developed three-dimensional computer-aided design (CAD) models of the giant panda mandible and various implant types for the third premolar tooth (PM3), finding that reverse buttress thread implants with radii of 7.5 mm and 8.3 mm and a length of 15 mm produced the most favorable stress and strain distributions under simulated bite forces. These implant parameters differ significantly from those used in humans and canine species due to the giant panda's unique jaw size and bite force. While the study provides theoretical guidance for clinical dental implantation in giant pandas, it emphasizes that further in vivo research is necessary to confirm biological compatibility and clinical outcomes.