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Finite Element Method: A Research Tool in Orthodontics
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Review Article
___________________________________________________ ____________________
J Res Adv Dent 2015; 4:3:58-63.
Finite Element Method: A Research Tool in Orthodontics
Mohanty Pritam1* Mohanty Priyam2 Sahoo Nivedita3 Sushila Sah4 Mohanty Debapreeti5
1Reader, Department of Orthodontics, Kalinga Institute of Dental Sciences, Bhubaneshwar, Odisha, India.
2Project Lead, Tech Mahindra Limited, India.
3Reader, Department of Orthodontics, Kalinga Institute of Dental Sciences, Bhubaneshwar, Odisha, India.
4Under Graduate Student, Department of Orthodontics, Kalinga Institute of Dental Sciences, Bhubaneshwar, Odisha, India.
4Post Graduate Student, Department of Endodontics, Kalinga Institute of Dental Sciences, Bhubaneshwar, Odisha, India.
ABSTRACT
Background: This review deals with the use of finite element analysis in the field of orthodontics and
craniofacial research. This includes different studies done by using finite element model in a three-dimensional
domain to analyze the growth of the craniofacial structure, orthodontic tooth movement, biomechanical
response to orthopaedic forces, temporomandibular joint dynamics, to create a facial model for orthognathic
surgeries, orthodontic implants and appliance design analysis. These not only help the clinician to predict the
overall effect of the treatment but will also ensure the patient of post-operative aesthetic aspect.
Keywords: Finite element analysis, stress, biomechanical.
INTRODUCTION inverse problem of estimating the strains
representing the hypothetical forces that deformed
In the 21st century, modern technology and one specimen into another1. These results are a
their advancements challenge a dental professional function of the “finite elements” (FE) into which the
to carry out intensely risky and complex procedures space between the landmarks is subdivided1
in a very safe and reliable manner. Finite element
methodology (FEM) can simulate and analyse the According to Cook et al2, individual finite
dentofacial structures, creating an abstraction of elements can be visualized as small pieces of a
physical reality that can be studied for complex structure. In each finite element a field quantity is
clinical procedures in the field of orthodontics. As allowed to have only a simple spatial variation.
orthodontic world revolve around the forces so Elements are connected at points called nodes. The
FEM can be one of the most precise tool for the particular arrangement of elements is called a mesh.
researchers in this field. Numerically, an FE mesh is represented by a system
of algebraic equations to be solved for unknowns at
About FEM nodes. Field quantity over the entire structure is
approximated element by element, in piecewise
Finite element method is a computational
fashion.
system for continuum mechanics that estimates the
deformation (fully detailed changes of position of all Different FEA programs and softwares are available
component particles) that are expected to result which do not require much mathematical or
from a specified pattern of stresses (forces) upon a programming knowledge.
mechanical system1.
Importance of FEM in orthodontics
Whereas finite element scaling analysis
(FESA) is applied in morphometrics to solve the
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There are different analyzing tools previously possible, by considering cranial
available in orthodontics. Analysis is very important structure as consisting of a relatively large number
when diagnosis and treatment plan is to be of contiguous finite elements. According to McIntyre
considered. Every method has its own pros and et al6 FEM is a sensitive morphometric technique
cons and this is the reason why newer methods for and it can estimate the shape change of the
analysis are developing. The demand for a better structure under examination, in all directions and at
analytical tool has increased to a level in which each every landmark which is not possible with
conventional tools do not meet. Conventional Cephalometric Analysis
Radiography is a 2-dimensional Montegi et al7 in their study used FEM
representation of a 3- dimensional subject. There is model by 3D surface measurement of rapid laser
overlapping of structures making it complex to the device from human dried skull and to analyze the
clinician. There are different methods like changes of facial growth based on FEM by the
Computer Tomographic scanning, Positron volume and the direction of strain. The results
Emission Tomography and digital radiography but indicate especially the growth change of mandible
the risk of radiation and 3-D imaging were not yet were predominantly showed in the early stages, and
solved. Furthermore, technique sensitivity, image the direction of growth strain changed backward
quality and cost effectiveness also plays a role. In and above from mental area to condylar area.
case of Coned Beam Computed Tomography, it gives
a 3-D image but again it has drawbacks like risk of According to the study8 done by Diewert
radiation and motion artifacts. and Lozanoff a morphometric analysis of human
embryonic craniofacial growth in the median plane
When compared to these, FEM stands out during primary palate formation using FEM analysis
as it is noninvasive, radiation free, 3 D analysis is and suggested that morphogenetic growth changes
supportive and its feasibility for both static and in the cranial regions are closely associated with
dynamic biomechanical study. Any one of the facial regions during primary palate formation.
conventional methods can be used for the initial Sasaki et al9 using FEM demonstrated the difference
reconstruction model in the computer which is later in nature between subjects with normal occlusion
on simulated by FE and is studied using FEA/FESA. and patients with unilateral cleft lip and palate
(CLP) in terms of size, shape and principle growth
FEM can be used to study the stress direction of craniofacial skeleton. The growth of
distribution pattern of different appliances in upper facial skeleton and maxillary complex was
orthodontics, helping the clinicians to work and more remarkably inhibited in CLP group than in
plan out in a number of different ways. The study of normal group.
orthodontic biomechanics requires the
understanding of the nature of stress and strain in 2) PERIODONTAL STRESS & TOOTH MOVEMENT
the periodontium induced by orthodontic forces3. A
number of different studies are conducted in the PDL plays a very important role in tooth movement
field of orthodontics using FEM. thus the stress in PDL is directly related to
orthodontic tooth movement. Tanne K et al3.,
Applications of FEM in orthodontics investigated the stress levels induced in the
periodontal tissue by orthodontic forces using the
Orthodontic biomechanics was started in three-dimensional finite element method. They
1960s with the work of Burstone and later Nikolai4. found out that the pattern and magnitude of
Today the most common method of biomechanics is stresses in the periodontium from a given
FEM. It has a wide range & variety of uses but when magnitude of force were markedly different,
orthodontics is concerned it can be helpful in the depending on the center of rotation of the tooth.
following ways:
Mestrovic et al10 used three-dimensional
1) CRANIOFACIAL GROWTH finite element model to analyze the tooth movement
in response to orthodontic forces. They also
According to Moss et al.5, FEM permits
concluded that the tipping tooth movement is
analysis of the skull at a scale significantly finer than
59
greater if the force is applied more gingivally. tensile stresses in the posterosuperior aspect that
Kojima et al11 studied the difference in initial tooth might help explain condylar growth in this
movement and long term tooth movement on finite direction. Similarly, on the glenoid fossa, tensile
element simulation of maxillary teeth connected stresses are created in the region of posterior
with the archwire. According to them the location of connective tissues which might be correlated with
the center of resistance could be estimated from the the increased cellular activity in this region.
initial tooth movement, assuming the archwire to be
a rigid material. This study17 indicates that increasing the
construction bite height might give more favorable
Geramy A12 studied six 3D finite element stress patterns in the TMJ, thereby improving the
models of a human maxillary central incisor with condylar response to functional appliances. Katada
same configuration except the alveolar bone height. et al18, used 3D FEM to investigate the effects of
He found that alveolar bone loss increased stress unilateral horizontal lengthening of mandibular
production under the same load compared with body and vertical lengthening of the mandibular
healthy bone support. Jing et al13, analyzed the ramus on the mandible and TMJ. They found out
stress distribution patterns within tooth root, PDL that, mandibular body lengthening applied stress to
and alveolar bone during dynamic canine tipping the anterior region of the mandibular condyle and
and bodily tooth movement in four consecutive the condyle tilted backward. On the other hand, the
therapeutic weeks by using 3D FEM. They found out mandibular ramus lengthening applied stress to the
that canine translation produced a lower and more posterior region of the mandibular condyle and the
uniform stress distribution in PDL than tipping condyle tilted forward.
movement; cervical region being the highest stress
distribution area in both the types of movement. 5) ORTHOGNATHIC SURGERIES
3) ORTHOPAEDIC FORCES In orthognathic surgeries aesthetic is of
prime importance as patients are too much
Tanne K et al14, through three-dimensional concerned about their post-operative facial
FEA models of the mandible including the morphology. With the advent of facial 3D simulation
temporomandibular joint studied the biomechanical models and virtual orthognathic surgery gives the
changes of the mandible from orthopaedic chin cup patient and the surgeon new way to interact with
forces. This study indicated an association of each other. Obaidellah et al19, in his paper describes
stresses with remodelling of the mandible from chin a surgical planning, simulation and prediction of
cup therapy applied to adolescent patients with facial soft tissue appearance with regard to
mandibular prognathism. mandibular advancement through the osteotomy
planning system using FEM on 3D facial models.
Jafari et al15, in their study used 3D FE Chabanas et al20, through 3D FE model of face soft
model of a human dried skull to analyze the stress tissue predicted face soft tissue deformations
distribution patterns within the craniofacial resulting from bone repositioning in maxillofacial
complex during rapid maxillary expansion via surgery.
transverse orthopaedic forces. According to this
study, the expansive forces are not restricted to the 6) ORTHODONTIC IMPLANTS
intermaxillary suture alone but are also distributed
to the sphenoid and zygomatic bones and other Jiang et al21, carried out a finite element
associated structures. analysis to evaluate continuous and simultaneous
variations of orthodontic mini-implant diameter
4) TEMPOROMANDIBULAR JOINT DYNAMICS and length and to identify their optimal ranges in
the maxillary posterior region. They found out that
Gupta et al16-17, in a study evaluated the diameter exceeding 1.5mm in combination with the
patterns of stress generation in the longest length in safety range was the optimal
temporomandibular joint after mandibular biomechanical choice.
protraction, by using a 3D FEM. This study16
indicates that the mandibular condyle experiences
60
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ACKNOWLEDGEMENT valuable and constructive suggestions of this
manuscript. Their willingness to give their time so
The authors are very grateful to Dr. Abikshyeet generously has been very much appreciated.
Panda and Dr. Shyam Sundar Behura for their
63
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