Three-dimensional FEM analysis of stress distribution in dynamic maxillary canine movement

An alteration in stress/strain distribution within periodontal ligament (PDL) occurs when the tooth is mechanical stimulated in orthodontic treatment. The majority of previous finite element studies were confined to a static evaluation on initial loading status, and a dynamic long-term analysis was rarely performed in orthodontics. The present study sought to analyze the stress distribution patterns within tooth root, PDL, and alveolar bone during dynamic canine tipping and bodily movement with three-dimensional finite element method in four consecutive therapeutic weeks. We observed that the highest stress was on root surface, secondly alveolar bone, and finally, PDL for either tipping or bodily movement. Throughout the PDL and root surface, the highest stress was always around the cervical area in both patterns of movement through four phases. Moreover, a lower and more uniform stress distribution was produced during bodily movement compared with tipping movement. These results indicated that canine translation might be healthier for periodontal tissue than tipping movement; the cervical region bore a greater load and might also be a susceptible area for tissue damage (except for the apex) regardless of movement pattern.