Three-dimensional finite element analysis of the deformation of the human mandible: a preliminary study from the perspective of orthodontic mini-implant stability.

OBJECTIVE: The aims of this study were to investigate mandibular deformation under clenching and to estimate its effect on the stability of orthodontic mini-implants (OMI). METHODS: Three finite element models were constructed using computed tomography (CT) images of 3 adults with different mandibular plane angles (A, low; B, average; and C, high). An OMI was placed between #45 and #46 in each model. Mandibular deformation under premolar and molar clenching was simulated. Comparisons were made between peri-orthodontic mini-implant compressive strain (POMI-CSTN) under clenching and orthodontic traction forces (150 g and 200 g). RESULTS: Three models with different mandibular plane angles demonstrated different functional deformation characteristics. The compressive strains around the OMI were distributed mesiodistally rather than occlusogingivally. In model A, the maximum POMI-CSTN under clenching was observed at the mesial aspect of #46 (1,401.75 microstrain [µE]), and similar maximum POMI-CSTN was observed under a traction force of 150 g (1,415 µE). CONCLUSIONS: The maximum POMI-CSTN developed by clenching failed to exceed the normally allowed compressive cortical bone strains; however, additional orthodontic traction force to the OMI may increase POMI-CSTN to compromise OMI stability.

Effective en-masse retraction design with orthodontic mini-implant anchorage: a finite element analysis.

INTRODUCTION: The strategic design of an appliance for correcting a bialveolar protrusion by using orthodontic mini-implant anchorage and sliding mechanics must take into account the position and height of the mini-implant, the height of the anterior retraction hook and compensating curve, and midline vertical traction. In this study, we used finite element analysis to examine effective en-masse retraction with orthodontic mini-implant anchorage and sought to identify a better combination of the above factors. METHODS: Base models were constructed from a dental study model. Models with labially and lingually inclined incisors were also constructed. The center of resistance for the 6 anterior teeth in the base model was 9 mm superiorly and 13.5 mm posteriorly from the midpoint of the labial splinting wire. The working archwires were assumed to be 0.019 x 0.025-in or 0.016 x 0.022-in stainless steel. The amount of tooth displacement after finite element analysis was magnified 400 times and compared with central and lateral incisor and canine axis graphs. RESULTS AND CONCLUSIONS: The tooth displacement tendencies were similar in all 3 models. The height of the anterior retraction hook and the placement of the compensating curve had limited effects on the labial crown torque of the central incisors for en-masse retraction. The 0.016 x 0.022-in stainless steel archwire showed more tipping of teeth compared with the 0.019 x 0.025-in archwire. For high mini-implant traction and 8-mm anterior retraction hook condition, the retraction force vector was applied above the center of resistance for the 6 anterior teeth, but no bodily retraction of the 6 anterior teeth occurred. For high mini-implant traction, 2-mm anterior retraction hook, and 100-g midline vertical traction condition, the 6 anterior teeth were intruded and tipped slightly labially.

A comparative evaluation of different compensating curves in the lingual and labial techniques using 3D FEM.

Because adults dislike the visibility of orthodontic appliances, the use of the lingual orthodontic technique has increased over time. But few studies compare tooth movement of the lingual technique with that of the labial technique. In this study, human mandibular left teeth were aligned, and a 3-dimensional finite element model was made (consisting of 19382 nodes and 12150 elements). To compare the effect of compensating curves on canine retraction between the lingual and the labial orthodontic techniques, the compensating curve was increased on the.016-in stainless steel labial or lingual archwire, and a 150-g force was applied distally on the canine. The relative direction and the amount of tooth displacement of the finite element model were compared on a schematic displacement graph (magnified 10,000 times), and the compressive stress distributed on the root surface was observed. The pattern of tooth movement (with or without a compensating curve) was different between the labial and the lingual techniques. As the amount of compensating curve increased (0, 2, and 4 mm) in the archwire, the rotation and the distal tipping of the canine was reduced. The antitip and antirotation action of compensating curve on the canine retraction was greater in the labial archwire than in the lingual archwire.