title: Dynamic finite element analysis and moving particle simulation of human enamel on a microscale.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  The study of biomechanics of deformation and fracture of hard biological tissues involving organic matrix remains a challenge as variations in mechanical properties and fracture mode may have time-dependency. Finite element analysis (FEA) has been widely used but the shortcomings of FEA such as the long computation time owing to re-meshing in simulating fracture mechanics have warranted the development of alternative computational methods with higher throughput. The aim of this study was to compare dynamic two-dimensional FEA and moving particle simulation (MPS) when assuming a plane strain condition in the modeling of human enamel on a reduced scale.
  
  
  METHODS
  Two-dimensional models with the same geometry were developed for MPS and FEA and tested in tension generated with a single step of displacement. The displacement, velocity, pressure, and stress levels were compared and Spearman׳s rank-correlation coefficients R were calculated (p<0.001).
  
  
  RESULTS
  The MPS and FEA were significantly correlated for displacement, velocity, pressure, and Y-stress.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The MPS may be further developed as an alternative approach without mesh generation to simulate deformation and fracture phenomena of dental and potentially other hard tissues with complex microstructure.
authors.affiliation: Department of Biomaterials Science, Osaka University Graduate School of Dentistry, 1-8 Yamadaoka, Suita, Osaka 565-0871, Japan. Electronic address: yamagu@dent.osaka-u.ac.jp.
authors.forename: Satoshi
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Yamaguchi
authors.affiliation: Department of Biomaterials and Biomimetics, New York University College of Dentistry, 345 E 24th Street, New York, NY 10010, USA.
authors.forename: Paulo G
authors.initials: PG
authors.lastname: Coelho
authors.affiliation: Department of Biomaterials, Biomimetics and Biophotonics, King׳s College London, Dental Institute, Guy׳s Hospital, London SE1 9RT, UK.
authors.forename: Van P
authors.initials: VP
authors.lastname: Thompson
authors.affiliation: Department of Biomaterials and Biomimetics, New York University College of Dentistry, 345 E 24th Street, New York, NY 10010, USA.
authors.forename: Nick
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Tovar
authors.affiliation: Department of Biomaterials Science, Osaka University Graduate School of Dentistry, 1-8 Yamadaoka, Suita, Osaka 565-0871, Japan.
authors.forename: Junpei
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Yamauchi
authors.affiliation: Department of Biomaterials Science, Osaka University Graduate School of Dentistry, 1-8 Yamadaoka, Suita, Osaka 565-0871, Japan.
authors.forename: Satoshi
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Imazato
mesh_terms: D001696:Biomechanical Phenomena; D003198:Computer Simulation; D003743:Dental Enamel / Q000502:physiology*; D020342:Finite Element Analysis; D006801:Humans; D008954:Models, Biological; D011312:Pressure
keywords: Computer simulation; Dental enamel; Finite element analysis; In silico; Moving particle simulation