title: Stresses induced by edgewise appliances in the periodontal ligament--a finite element study.
abstract: The quantification of stress in the periodontal ligament is an important concept, as stress in this tissue is transmitted to the alveolus, with subsequent bone remodelling and tooth movement. A number of clinical studies have suggested figures for such an optimal stress range. This study makes use of a finite element technique to determine the stress induced in the periodontal ligament in three dimensions when a maxillary canine tooth is subjected to an orthodontic force similar to that produced by an edgewise appliance. The maximum stress induced at the cervical margin of the periodontal ligament was 0.072 N/mm2, while the maximum stress induced at the level of the apical foramen was 0.0038 N/mm2. These results are discussed in the light of known clinical experience and compared with the stresses produced in the periodontal ligament by other orthodontic forces. The findings would suggest that even with 'perfect' edgewise mechanics it would be difficult to obtain canine movement by pure translation or 'bodily movement.'
authors.affiliation: University of Wales College of Medicine.
authors.forename: N
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: McGuinness
authors.forename: A N
authors.initials: AN
authors.lastname: Wilson
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Jones
authors.forename: J
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Middleton
authors.forename: N R
authors.initials: NR
authors.lastname: Robertson
mesh_terms: D000539:Alveolar Process / Q000502:physiology; D003198:Computer Simulation; D003481:Cuspid / Q000502:physiology*; D003743:Dental Enamel / Q000502:physiology; D003804:Dentin / Q000502:physiology; D004548:Elasticity; D006801:Humans; D008954:Models, Biological; D009967:Orthodontic Appliances; D016910:Orthodontic Brackets; D009969:Orthodontic Wires; D010513:Periodontal Ligament / Q000502:physiology*; D013314:Stress, Mechanical; D013718:Tensile Strength; D014087:Tooth Movement Techniques / Q000295:instrumentation*; D014092:Tooth Root / Q000502:physiology