Factors influencing the dynamic behaviour of human teeth

The remodeling of alveolar bone supporting the mandibular first molar with different levels of periodontal attachment

The objective of this study was to investigate alveolar bone remodeling of the mandibular first molar with differing levels of periodontal attachment under mastication loading. Three-dimensional finite element models of the mandibular first molar with differing levels of periodontal attachment were established. The stress distributions and bone density changes were analyzed under mastication loading to simulate the remodeling process of mandibular bone based on the theory of strain energy density. The results showed that the alveolar buccal, lingual ridges and root apex areas experienced higher stresses. The stresses and densities of the alveolar bone increased proportionally to increased mastication loading. Decrease in alveolar bone density under extreme loading indicated bone resorption. The remodeling rate was continual with gradual loading. Periodontal ligament support marginally decreased with an increased remodeling rate under extreme loading. Changes in alveolar bone density can reflect the remodeling process of periodontal tissue under mastication loading. The relationship between the change in density and mastication loading during remodeling can provide useful indicators into clinical treatment and diagnosis of the periodontal disease.

Reductions in the effects of damping on stress concentration in premolars by post-endodontic restorations: a non-linear finite element study

The aim of this study was to measure the structural damping constants of premolars after treatment with a cast Co-Cr post-core system or permanent root filling, and to evaluate the stress damping effects of these restored premolars. Both the damping ratio and the natural frequency (NF) of the cast Co-Cr post-core restored premolars and the permanent root-filled premolars were detected by in-vitro NF testing experiments. Unprepared premolars served as the control. The damping constants beta of the samples were calculated from the measured damping ratios and natural frequencies. The measured damping constants beta of the test premolars were then used for dynamic finite element (FE) analyses. Stress contours and damping effects of stresses in each treated type of premolar were computed and compared using ANSYS. The measured damping constants beta were 0.75 x 10(-5) for the unprepared premolars, 0.69 x 10(-5) for the root-filled premolars with coronal restoration, and 0.72 x 10(-5) for the cast Co-Cr post-core restored premolars. The unprepared intact premolars demonstrated the highest stress dissipation effects with a ratio of 29.3 per cent at the middle root opposite to the loading side. However, no stress dissipation effects were found in the premolars that had been restored with the cast Co-Cr post-core system. The FE analysis showed that metallic post treatment attenuated the damping properties of the premolar. The effects of damping on stress concentration were significantly lower in restored premolars than in untreated vital premolars. These findings suggest that future research on post material should take the damping property into consideration.

Natural frequency analysis of tooth stability under various simulated types and degrees of alveolar vertical bone loss

The aim of this study was to test natural teeth stability under various simulated types and degrees of alveolar vertical bone loss, as well as to assess the role that the surrounding bone played for maintaining tooth stability. A three-dimensional finite element model of the human maxillary central incisor with surrounding tissue, including periodontal ligament, enamel, dentin, pulp, and alveolar bone, was established. One side and multiple vertical bone loss were simulated by means of decreasing the surrounding bone level apically from the cemento-enamel junction in 1 mm steps incrementally downward for 10 mm. Natural frequency values of the incisor model with various types and degrees of bone loss were then calculated. The results showed that, with one-sided bone resorption, the model with labial bone loss had the lowest natural frequency decreasing rates (8.2 per cent). On the other hand, in cases of multiple bone loss, vertical bone resorption at the mesial and distal sides had more negative effects on tooth stability compared to vertical bone losses on facial and lingual sides. These findings suggest that the natural frequency method may be a useful, auxiliary clinical tool for diagnosis of vertical periodontal diseases.

Calculation of Natural Frequencies of Teeth Supported with the Periodontal Ligament

Natural frequencies and vibration modes of four kinds of teeth were calculated by using a mechanical model. The alveolar bone and the tooth were assumed as rigid bodies, while the periodontal ligament was assumed as an elastic spring. All the natural frequencies were within a range of 1 to 10 kHz. The first natural frequencies of four teeth were about 1.5 kHz, and decreased as the root length decreased. Their vibration modes were tipping movements of the root. The natural frequency of the twisting vibration mode, or rotating movement around the tooth axis, was affected by root configuration. When subjected to a periodic force, the tooth and periodontal ligament would vibrate with the corresponding resonance mode. This phenomenon may be used as a method for the diagnosis and the treatment of a periodontal tissue.

Vibrational analysis of mandible trauma: experimental and numerical approaches

The aim of this study was to evaluate the effectiveness of vibrational assessment of the mandible fracture patterns. Measurement of natural frequencies and associated vibrational mode shapes was performed to determine the relationship between the dynamic behavior of the human mandible and incidence of mandibular fractures using both in vitro modal testing and finite element analysis. Our results show that the natural frequencies of the human mandible in dry and wet conditions are 567 Hz and 501 Hz, respectively. The first vibrational mode of human mandible is a bending vibration with nodes located at the mandibular body where bone fracture is less likely to occur. By contrast, high vibration amplitudes were identified in the symphysis/parasymphysis and subcondyle regions where bone fractures tend occur. These findings indicate that the vibrational characteristics of the mandible are potential parameters for assessment of the mechanisms of injury.

Towards the limit of quantifying low-amplitude strains on bone and in coagulum around immediately loaded oral implants in extraction sockets

The purpose of this study was to quantify strains in coagulum around immediately loaded oral implants in extraction sockets at the ex vivo level. Bilateral maxillary premolar teeth of two fresh human cadavers were extracted and psi 4.1 x 12 mm Straumann TE implants were placed in the sockets of first and second premolars by utilizing mesio-distal and palatal anchorage, respectively. Installation torque value (ITV) of each implant was measured by a custom-made torque wrench and resonance frequency analyses (RFAs) were undertaken to determine intraosseous stability. Upon abutment connection, a gold coping allowing the placement of a miniature load cell to contact the underlying solid abutment was fabricated. A linear strain gauge was connected to the coping at a distance for strain measurements in coagulum around the implant neck in the extraction socket. Linear strain gauges were also bonded on the labial marginal bone of each extraction socket. Strain measurements were performed at a sample rate of 10 kHz simultaneously monitored from a computer connected to data acquisition system and under a maximum load of 100 N on each implant with or without human coagulum in the extraction socket. Low-amplitude strains were measured around immediate implants. The increase in load increased strains on labial marginal cortical bone around implants (P < 0.05). Bone strains were higher on the implant loaded, when coagulum was present in the bone defects (P < 0.05). Strains within coagulum around mesiodistally anchored implants were higher than palatally anchored implants (P < 0.05). The type of implant on anchorage and presence of coagulum has an impact mechanotransduction to buccal marginal bone around immediate implants.

Damping effects on the response of maxillary incisor subjected to a traumatic impact force: a nonlinear finite element analysis

OBJECTIVES

The aim of this study was to evaluate the effects of damping on stress concentration in an impacted incisor.

METHODS

Damping ratios of maxillary incisors were tested using an in vivo modal testing method. A finite element model of the upper central incisor was established for dental trauma analysis. To assess the effect of damping properties on induced stresses in the traumatized incisors, equivalent stresses in the finite element model with various damping ratios were calculated for comparison. The mechanisms of cushioning properties of the upper incisors on traumatic injuries were assessed by profiling the stress distributions in the incisor model sequentially with time.

RESULTS

The measured damping ratio of maxillary incisors was 0.146+/-0.037. When the incisor was subjected to an impact force, high stresses were concentrated at the labial and lingual incisor edges, cervical ridge, and the area around root apex. When the damping ratios of the incisor model were set at 10- and 50-fold of the measured values, the peak stresses induced near the impact site of the incisor model were reduced from 24.0 to 23.2 and 15.9 MPa, respectively. On the other hand, the peak stress lagged and the stress existence period increased when the damping properties were taken into consideration.

CONCLUSIONS

Damping properties of teeth provide protection to the tooth during traumatic injury by decreasing the peak stress magnitude due to release of strain energy over a longer period.

Natural frequency assessment of stability of root keeper magnetic devices

The aim of the study was to evaluate the potential for using natural frequency (NF) as an indicator for assessing the stability of a magnetic keeper device used in prosthodontic treatment. A three-dimensional finite element (FE) model of a root keeper-cement-dentine system was established for NF analysis. The model was first validated against a series of in vitro experiments. Then, NF values of the first vibrational mode of the FE model with various boundary conditions were calculated. The in vitro results showed that the measured NF values of the root keeper-incisor units decreased significantly (p<0.01) from 9.07 +/- 0.37 to 5.73 +/- 0.10 kHz when the units were embedded in simulated bony tissue. Results obtained from FE simulations demonstrated that the root keeper would fully loosen when the constant values of the spring elements were lower than 10(4) N-m(-1). Furthermore, a linear increase in the NF values of the model was observed from 6.16 to 15.52 kHz, when the constant was increased from 10(4) to 10(7) N-m(-1), and the values then reached a plateau. The results indicate that the NF value of a root keeper has the potential to be used for monitoring the stability of such a device.