Finite Elements Analysis of Tooth-A Comparative Analysis of Multiple Failure Criteria

Radu Andrei Moga; Cristian Doru Olteanu; Botez Mircea Daniel; Stefan Marius Buru

doi:10.3390/ijerph20054133

Finite Elements Analysis of Tooth-A Comparative Analysis of Multiple Failure Criteria

Int J Environ Res Public Health. 2023 Feb 25;20(5):4133. doi: 10.3390/ijerph20054133.

Authors

Radu Andrei Moga¹, Cristian Doru Olteanu², Botez Mircea Daniel³, Stefan Marius Buru³

Affiliations

¹ Department of Cariology, Endodontics and Oral Pathology, School of Dental Medicine, University of Medicine and Pharmacy Iuliu Hatieganu, Str. Motilor 33, 400001 Cluj-Napoca, Romania.
² Department of Orthodontics, School of Dental Medicine, University of Medicine and Pharmacy Iuliu Hatieganu, Str. Avram Iancu 31, 400083 Cluj-Napoca, Romania.
³ Department of Structural Mechanics, School of Civil Engineering, Technical University of Cluj-Napoca, Str. Memorandumului 28, 400114 Cluj-Napoca, Romania.

Abstract

Herein Finite elements analysis (FEA) study assesses the adequacy and accuracy of five failure criteria (Von Mises (VM), Tresca, maximum principal (S1), minimum principal (S3), and Hydrostatic pressure) for the study of tooth as a structure (made of enamel, dentin, and cement), along with its stress absorption-dissipation ability. Eighty-one 3D models of the second lower premolar (with intact and 1-8 mm reduced periodontium) were subjected to five orthodontic forces (intrusion, extrusion, tipping, rotation, and translation) of 0.5 N (approx. 50 gf) (in a total of 405 FEA simulations). Only the Tresca and VM criteria showed biomechanically correct stress display during the 0-8 mm periodontal breakdown simulation, while the other three showed various unusual biomechanical stress display. All five failure criteria displayed comparable quantitative stress results (with Tresca and VM producing the highest of all), showing the rotational and translational movements to produce the highest amount of stress, while intrusion and extrusion, the lowest. The tooth structure absorbed and dissipated most of the stress produced by the orthodontic loads (from a total of 0.5 N/50 gf only 0.125 N/12.5 gf reached PDL and 0.01 N/1 gf the pulp and NVB). The Tresca criterion seems to be more accurate than Von Mises for the study of tooth as structure.

Keywords: Finite elements analysis (FEA); dentin; enamel; failure criteria selection; orthodontic movements; periodontal breakdown; stress absorption–dissipation ability; tooth.

MeSH terms

Computer Simulation
Finite Element Analysis
Models, Biological
Periodontal Ligament*
Periodontium
Stress, Mechanical
Tooth Movement Techniques* / methods

Grants and funding

This research received no external funding. This research did not receive any specific grant from funding agencies in the public, commercial, or not-for-profit sectors. The primary funders were the authors.