Related Experiment Video
Updated: May 11, 2026

07:59
Intermediate Strain Rate Material Characterization with Digital Image Correlation
Published on: March 1, 2019
Load distribution in fixed space maintainers: a strain-gauge analysis.
Nihal Beldüz Kara1, Seçil Çehreli, Elçin Sağırkaya
1Department of Pediatric Dentistry, Faculty of Dentistry, Ordu University, Ordu, Turkey. nihalpedo@yahoo.com
Pediatric Dentistry
|May 3, 2013
Summary
The biomechanics of band-and-loop, direct-bonded, and fiber-reinforced space maintainers were compared. Direct-bonded designs showed higher strain concentrations, particularly under anterior loading.
Area of Science:
- Biomaterials Science
- Dental Biomechanics
- Orthodontic Appliances
Background:
- Space maintainers are crucial for preserving dental arch integrity after tooth loss.
- Understanding the biomechanical behavior of different space maintainer designs is essential for clinical success.
Purpose of the Study:
- To compare the biomechanics of various space maintainer designs (band-and-loop, direct-bonded, fiber-reinforced).
- To evaluate strain distribution under different loading conditions in photoelastic models.
Main Methods:
- Photoelastic models of primary and permanent teeth with missing spaces were created.
- Three types of space maintainers were fabricated and tested.
- Strain gauges quantified signals under static axial loads (50 N and 100 N).
Main Results:
- Strain distribution was comparable between designs under molar and maintainer loading.
- Direct-bonded space maintainers exhibited significantly higher strains under anterior support loading (100 N).
- Higher strains were noted with direct-bonded designs compared to band-and-loop under 100 N maintainer loading.
Conclusions:
- Band-and-loop, direct-bonded, and fiber-reinforced space maintainers demonstrate comparable load distribution.
- Direct-bonded space maintainers may induce higher strain concentrations on the buccal side due to bending moments.
Related Concept Videos
Saint-Venant's Principle
The principle of Saint-Venant postulates that the stress distribution within a structural member does not rely on the precise method of load application except in the vicinity of the load application points. Consider a scenario where loads are centrally applied on two plates. In this case, the plates move toward each other without any rotation. This movement causes the member to contract in length and expand in width and thickness. Uniform deformation across all elements and maintaining...
Cable Subjected to a Distributed Load
The analysis of suspension bridges is a complex and critical process that involves multiple factors, including the shape and tension of the main cables. The main cables of suspension bridges are subjected to distributed loads, which result in changes in tensile forces and deformation of the cable. These loads must be carefully considered to ensure that the bridge is safe and capable of supporting the weight of different loads.
Measurements of Strain
Strain quantifies the deformation of a material under force, typically measured as normal strain, which represents the change in length when compared with the original length. Electrical strain gauges are used for enhanced accuracy. These devices consist of a conductive wire mounted on a paper backing that adheres to the material's surface. These gauges operate on the piezoresistive effect, where the wire's electrical resistance changes in response to mechanical deformation. The strain gauge...
Stress-Strain Diagram
A stress-strain diagram is a crucial tool that graphically displays a material's mechanical characteristics. This diagram is derived from a tensile test performed on a carefully prepared cylindrical specimen. The specimen has two gauge marks inscribed on its central part, and the distance between these marks is known as the gauge length. The cylindrical specimen is placed in a testing machine, which applies an increasing centric load. As this load grows, so does the gauge length. This change in...
Normal Strain under Axial Loading
Normal strain under axial loading is an important concept in the field of mechanics of materials. Axial loading implies the application of a force along the axis of a material, like a column or bar. This force can either compress or stretch the material. In the context of axial loading, normal strain is the deformation experienced by the material in the direction of the loading force. It's calculated as the change in length divided by the original length of the material. This unitless ratio...
Distributed Loads: Problem Solving
Beams are structural elements commonly employed in engineering applications requiring different load-carrying capacities. The first step in analyzing a beam under a distributed load is to simplify the problem by dividing the load into smaller regions, which allows one to consider each region separately and calculate the magnitude of the equivalent resultant load acting on each portion of the beam. The magnitude of the equivalent resultant load for each region can be determined by calculating...

