Numerical Analysis of Masticatory Forces on a Lower First Molar considering the Contact between Dental Tissues

Abstract

The aim of the present work is to identify the reactions of the dental organs to the different forces that occur during chewing and the transcendence of the union and contact maintained by the dental tissues. The study used a lower first molar biomodel with a real morphology and morphometry and consisting of the three dental tissues (enamel, dentin, and pulp) each with its mechanical properties. In it, two simulations were carried out, as would the process of chewing a food. One of the simulations considers the contact between the enamel and the dentin, and the other does not take it into account. The results obtained differ significantly between the simulations that consider contact and those that do not, establishing the importance of taking this contact into account. In this way, the theories that establish horizontal and lateral occlusion forces are present during the functional chewing process which are viable to be correct. The case studies carried out present not only the reasons for the failure of enamel but also the failure of the restoration materials used. This reflection will allow the development of more adequate materials, mechanical design of prostheses, implants, and treatment.

Mechanobiological Analysis of Molar Teeth with Carious Lesions through the Finite Element Method

“…In an investigation published prior to the present work [ 17 ], it was found that there are stress concentrations in the amelodentinous junction (located in the anatomical neck of the teeth, it is the junction or articulation zone of enamel and dentin) in healthy molars due to the simple fact of mastication. Not only does this work corroborate this fact, but also when the dental organ presents caries, one of the first consequences is that in the amelodentinous junction greater points of concentration of efforts are manifested.…”

“…For the modelling, the methodology described in a previous work was used [ 17 ]. As already mentioned, the images of the molars were obtained through the use of 3D imaging, by means of a digital volumetric tomography (TVD) of the maxilla and mandible with the cone beam computed tomography system (CBTC), to obtain the DICOM files.…”

High-Biofidelity Biomodel Generated from Three-Dimensional Imaging (Cone-Beam Computed Tomography): A Methodological Proposal

“…e values between 198 and 237 are for the dentin. Finally, the value of 0 identifies the dental pulp [32]. Once these thresholds are identified, it proceeds to perform the modelling of each tissue by independent masks (each with its own colour identification).…”

Numerical Analysis of a Dental Zirconium Restoration and the Stresses That Occur in Dental Tissues

“…The contacts between the tissues and the restoration were considered for the analysis performed. The detailed methodology to obtain the biomodel, from the three-dimensional images of the tomography, to the boundary conditions and mesh refinement, among others, is the same with those used in the research and publications developed previously by the authors [2, 3, 23, 35] (Table 2).…”

“…The present work shows the reactions that occur in the pulp tissue when a dental zirconium restoration is used, due to the differences in mechanical behavior described above, which modify the symbiotic or synergic relationship between the dental tissues. This is done through linear-elastic numerical analysis by means of the application of the Finite Element Method, from which high-biofidelity biomodels were used [23, 24].…”