title: Periodontal biomechanics: finite element simulations of closing stroke and power stroke in equine cheek teeth.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  In equine dentistry periodontal diseases, especially periapical inflammation, are frequently occurring problems. Anachoresis is believed to be the most common cause for the development of such disorders. Nevertheless, there is still no substantiated explanation why settlement of pathogen microorganisms occurs in equine periodontal tissues. It is expected that excessive strains and stresses occurring in the periodontal ligament (PDL) during the horse's chewing cycle might be a predisposing factor. In this study this assumption was examined by finite element (FE) analyses on virtual 3-D models of equine maxillary and mandibular cheek teeth, established on the basis of μCT datasets. Calculations were conducted both under conditions of closing and power stroke.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Results showed a uniform distribution of low stresses and strain energy density (SED) during closing stroke, whereas during power stroke an occurrence of high stresses and SED could be observed in the PDL near the alveolar crest and in periapical regions.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The concentration of forces during power stroke in these specific areas of the PDL may cause local tissue necrosis and inflammation and thus establish a suitable environment for the settlement of microorganisms.
authors.affiliation: Institute of Anatomy, University of Veterinary Medicine Hannover, Bischofsholer Damm 15, Hannover, D-30173, Germany. Vanessa.Cordes@vetmed.uni-giessen.de
authors.forename: Vanessa
authors.initials: V
authors.lastname: Cordes
authors.forename: Matthias
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Lüpke
authors.forename: Moritz
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Gardemin
authors.forename: Hermann
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Seifert
authors.forename: Carsten
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Staszyk
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D001696:Biomechanical Phenomena / Q000502:physiology; D003198:Computer Simulation; D020342:Finite Element Analysis; D006736:Horses / Q000502:physiology*; D008409:Mastication / Q000502:physiology*; D010513:Periodontal Ligament / Q000502:physiology*; D014070:Tooth / Q000502:physiology*