Construction of a finite element model for the maxillary first molar and the periodontal tissue / 中国组织工程研究

ABSTRACT

BACKGROUND:Studies have shown that the finite element method could preferably simulate the biomechanical analysis for the object with complicated structures and irregular shapes. The similarities for the finite element model have great influences on the results of the analysis. However, to construct an ideal model is the most time-consuming and complicated portion for the finite element analysis. OBJECTIVE:To construct a finite element model for the maxilary first molar and the periodontal tissue, and to provide a basis of biomechanical researches of the maxilary first molar. METHODS: A volunteer with complete mandibular dentition and healthy periodontal tissue was selected in this study. Cone-beam CT was scanned. The images were saved as DICOM format. These images were imported to the medical modeling software Mimics. The surface model for the maxilary first molar and the alveolar bone was constructed. The model was then imported to GiD for pre-processing. Thus, the complete three-dimensional finite element model for the maxilary first molar and the periodontal tissue was constructed. RESULTS AND CONCLUSION:A finite element model for bilateral maxilary first molar, periodontal ligament and maxilary alveolar bone was constructed, including 896 035 nodes and 4 881 067 elements. This model has restored the geometric shape and the structure of the research object. This study successfuly constructed finite element models of maxilary first molar and the periodontal tissue, which can be a basis of biomechanical researches for the maxilary first molar and the periodontal tissue under the effect of different clinical orthodontic forces.