Mechanical Properties of the Periodontal System and of Dental Constructs Deduced from the Free Response of the Tooth

Abstract

The biomechanical behaviour of the periodontal ligament (PDL) is still not well understood although this topic has been studied for almost 100 years. This study reports on clinical and mathematical studies to determine the constitutive law of the PDL. A set of mechanical parameters of the tooth-PDL system is obtained, and a new method for the evaluation of these parameters from the free response of the tooth is introduced. This response is produced by repeated impacts applied to the gingival tissue in the apical part of the tooth investigated—with the aid of a Periotest exciter. A Doppler ultrasound probe is utilized to determine the response of the tooth-PDL system. The parameters evaluated from these measurements can be considered as the elastometric properties of the dental system investigated. A modal analysis/system identification method is utilized to estimate these parameters. The investigations are carried out for different teeth abutments, both with and without a dental bridge/fixed partial prosthesis (FPP). The differences between the responses of the systems in these two cases are determined with the new method proposed. They are discussed with regard to the specific purposes of the FPP. The study demonstrates that this method can provide the dentist with the necessary objective evaluations regarding the properties and health of the tooth-PDL system, as well as of the construct that is obtained after installing a dental bridge.

Electromyographic Evaluation of Muscle Activity in Patients Rehabilitated with Full Arch Fixed Implant-Supported Prostheses

“…We envisage that future computational studies can add further information regarding the functioning of the periodontal system. Both analytical [ 42 ] and Finite Element Analysis (FEA) studies would be useful in this respect. This would be a valuable line of research, complementary to the clinical one.…”

Quantitative evaluation of the proximal contact area gap change characterization under intercuspal occlusion by intraoral 3D scanning: Food impaction with tight proximal contact

“…2 However, the teeth with normal masticatory movements are characterized by physiological reversible movements that allow for closer proximal contact at the bite moment to disperse and transmit bite force. [7][8][9][10] As a result, numerous researchers have come to an agreement on the pathogenesis of "Incongruous movement of two adjacent teeth at the bite moment, resulting in the formation of an impacted gap." 2,[11][12][13] The first option for treating kinetic food impaction is the occlusal adjustment, which is relatively less traumatic to the dental tissues and is highly accepted by patients.…”

A visco-hyperelastic constitutive model of human periodontal ligament and the verification with finite element method

“…It serves as the major stabilizer of tooth position under daily functional demands and transmits the mechanical stimulus to the alveolar bone for bone remodeling during orthodontics. Therefore, it is critical to comprehend the biomechanical properties and function of the PDL [1].…”