title: 2D and 3D finite element analysis of central incisor generated by computerized tomography.
abstract: The purpose of this study was to compare the results of different hierarchical models in engineering analysis applied to dentistry with 2D and 3D models of a tooth and its supporting structures under 100 N occlusal loading at 45° and examine the reliability of simplified 2D models in dental research. Five models were built from computed-tomography scans: four 2D models with Plane Strain and Plane Stress State with linear triangular and quadratic quadrilateral elements and one 3D model. The finite element results indicated that the stress distribution was similar qualitatively in all models but the stress magnitude was quite different. It was concluded that 2D models are acceptable when investigating the biomechanical behavior of upper central incisor qualitatively. However, quantitative stress analysis is less reliable in 2D-finite element analysis, because 2D models overestimate the results and do not represent the complex anatomical configuration of dental structures. Therefore 3D finite element analyses of dental biomechanics cannot be simplified.
authors.affiliation: Department of Operative Dentistry, School of Dentistry, Federal Fluminense University, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. isis_poiate@yahoo.com.br
authors.forename: Isis A V P
authors.initials: IA
authors.lastname: Poiate
authors.forename: Adalberto B
authors.initials: AB
authors.lastname: Vasconcellos
authors.forename: Matsuyoshi
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Mori
authors.forename: Edgard
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Poiate
mesh_terms: D020342:Finite Element Analysis; D006801:Humans; D007180:Incisor / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging*; D014057:Tomography, X-Ray Computed / Q000379:methods*