title: Verification of finite element analysis of fixed partial denture with in vitro electronic strain measurement.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  The purpose of the study was to verify the finite element analysis model of three-unite fixed partial denture with in vitro electronic strain analysis and analyze clinical situation with the verified model.
  
  
  METHODS
  First, strain gauges were attached to the critical areas of a three-unit fixed partial denture. Strain values were measured under 300 N load perpendicular to the occlusal plane. Secondly, a three-dimensional finite element model in accordance with the electronic strain analysis experiment was constructed from the scanning data. And the strain values obtained by finite element analysis and in vitro measurements were compared. Finally, the clinical destruction of the fixed partial denture was evaluated with the verified finite element analysis model.
  
  
  RESULTS
  There was a mutual agreement and consistency between the finite element analysis results and experimental data. The finite element analysis revealed that failure will occur in the veneer layer on buccal surface of the connector under occlusal force of 570 N.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The results indicate that the electronic strain analysis is an appropriate and cost saving method to verify the finite element model. The veneer layer on buccal surface of the connector is the weakest area in the fixed partial denture.
authors.affiliation: School of Mechanical Engineering, Shandong University, Key Laboratory of High Efficiency and Clean Mechanical Manufacture (Ministry of Education), Jinan, PR China.
authors.forename: Gaoqi
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Wang
authors.affiliation: School of Mechanical Engineering, Shandong University, Key Laboratory of High Efficiency and Clean Mechanical Manufacture (Ministry of Education), Jinan, PR China. Electronic address: zhangsong@sdu.edu.cn.
authors.forename: Song
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Zhang
authors.affiliation: Department of Prosthodontics, Qilu Hospital of Shandong University, Jinan, PR China.
authors.forename: Cuirong
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Bian
authors.affiliation: Department of Prosthodontics, Qilu Hospital of Shandong University, Jinan, PR China.
authors.forename: Hui
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Kong
mesh_terms: D001732:Bite Force; D003799:Dental Stress Analysis / Q000379:methods*; D003830:Denture, Partial, Fixed; D020342:Finite Element Analysis; D066298:In Vitro Techniques; D013314:Stress, Mechanical
keywords: Electronic strain analysis; Finite element analysis; Fixed partial denture