Development of an orthodontic simulator for measurement of orthodontic forces

In this research we developed an orthodontic simulator for analysis of orthodontic forces distribution in the case of the continuous arch technique. In order to take into account vertical force, besides horizontal force and occlusogingival moment on instrumented artificial tooth, tooth root was designed as a ring load cell. Fixing each artificial tooth onto combined mechanical stages enabled variation of tooth anteroposterior position and inclination related to occlusal plane. Calibration of forces and moment of each instrumented artificial tooth showed linearity of outputs and provided the generalized inverse matrix for evaluation of forces and moments from measured strain data. A simulation to retract the anterior teeth was accomplished, and distribution of forces and moment acting at the bracket of each tooth were determined. The average accuracy was 82% and 97% in the horizontal and vertical direction, respectively, by comparing the applied forces and the evaluated ones.