Simulation of the Process of Food Destruction During the Final Occlusal Stage Using a Finite Element Non-Linear...

The purpose of this study was to evaluate food destruction in the small space between opposing teeth during the final stage of occlusion. The time related process of food destruction was simulated using a finite element non-linear dynamic analysis based on three dimensional occlusal co-ordinate data of the upper and lower teeth, masticatory movement data and occlusal force records. Food destruction was analysed in two inter-arch relationships. The first was normal occlusion (cusp-to-fossa) and the second was Angle class II (cusp-to-cusp). Food destruction was successfully demonstrated in both cases.