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B. R. da Silva 1 and J. J. S. Moreira Neto 2 and F. I. da Silva Jr. 3 and A. S. W. de Aguiar 2
Recommended by H. S. Kho and I. Lewinstein
1, Biotechnology Postgraduate Department, Federal University of Ceará, Sobral, CEP 62042-280, Brazil
2, Dentistry Department, Federal University of Ceará, Fortaleza, CE 60020-181, Brazil
3, Mechanical Engineering Department, Federal University of Ceará, Fortaleza, CE 60020-181, Brazil
Received 15 March 2011; Accepted 4 May 2011
1. Introduction
Dentoalveolar trauma currently constitutes one of the main clinical conditions requiring dental treatment. Several studies have shown a high prevalence of these events, especially among children and adolescents [1-3].
In spite of the epidemiological importance of dentoalveolar traumatic events, little is still known about their biomechanical characteristics and their impact on adjacent tissues. Such a gap in the literature can probably be explained by the difficulties involved in the performance of sophisticated clinical and experimental studies, employing sound and reliable methodology [4, 5].
Several methodologies have been developed with the aim of improving our understanding of the distribution of forces in the stomatognathic system. Among such methodologies it is possible to mention photoelastic models, analytical mathematical models, and mathematical analyses such as the finite element method (FEM) [6].
In FEM, the behavior of a particular physical system is mathematically simulated. A continuous structure is divided into different elements, which maintain the properties of the original structure. Each of these elements is described by differential equations and solved using mathematical models selected according to the data under investigation [6-9].
FEM allows to create models for complex structures, reproducing the irregular geometries of either natural or artificial tissues, for example, the dentoalveolar articulation. In addition, FEM allows to modify the parameters of those geometries, which makes it possible to apply a force or a system of forces to any point and/or in any direction, thereby providing information on movement and on the degree of tension and compression forces caused by these loads [6, 8, 10-12].
The application of FEM to the investigation of dental trauma requires the adoption of complex methodologies. The aim of this study was to describe the methodological steps involved in the creation of a dentoalveolar articulation model using FEM for the simulation of...