The Finite Element Analysis of Stress in the Periodontal Ligament when Subject to Vertical Orthodontic Forces

In the past, vertical intrusive movement of teeth has been considered difficult and most routine clinical vertical movement of teeth has been confined to extrusion. It has been suggested that attempts at intrusion may result in an increased incidence of root resorption and also in occasional devitalization. The displacement and resulting stress fields associated with such treatment can be successfully studied using the finite element method. In the case being considered initial movements are known to be small; therefore, the assumption in the study that the material behaves linear-elastically is considered to be reasonable. This study of vertical tooth movement demonstrated that the maximum cervical margin stress in the periodontal ligament was 0·0046 N/mm2, whilst the highest apical stress was 0·00205 N/mm2 when intrusive and extrusive forces of 1 Newton were applied to the buccal surface of the crown of a tooth model. These stresses were evaluated in the light of previous studies and found to be within the suggested clinical optimum level. However, the periodontal stress distribution following orthodontic loading within this three-dimensional finite element model was found to be highly complex.